"Can you shoot?" asked Esther.
"Oh, yes; father trained me to shoot. Oh, those terrible wolves!" she said, as the shrill, mournful cries came nearer.
"On, Rocket! On, Star!" urged Esther, again.
The animals made a sudden lunge, and sped onward like mad. Around jagged turns they flew, as if inviting death; near precipitous cliffs they swung, till the driver was filled with sickening terror. On they raced, the wolves in hot pursuit.
"Oh, dear!" said Edith, looking back. "One large wolf is far in advance, and close upon us."
Quick as a flash, she stooped, took a great haunch of venison Dr. Brown had sent to her father, and flung it behind them. Then she watched in intense excitement.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, striking her hands together, "the wolf has discovered the venison, and has stopped!"
With that, she took the whip, and gave the already excited animals a stinging blow. They leaped and plunged madly forward. Esther doubled the reins around her hands, and called in low, insistent tones:
"Steady, Rocket! Steady, Star!"
They had gained upon their pursuers, and the horses were running at furious speed.