"Well, we'll not go back empty-handed, after all," said Whopper.
It was long past dark when they came in sight of the camp-fire, which Snap and Shep were keeping burning brightly on purpose, so that it might light their way.
"Here they come!" cried Snap, and ran forward to meet them. "What's this? A wolf, I declare! Then you didn't find the silver deer?"
"We didn't get a chance," said Giant, and then he and Whopper told their story.
"You can be thankful that you escaped from those wolves," said Snap.
"I thought wolves didn't attack folks excepting in the dead of winter, when they couldn't get anything to eat," remarked Shep.
"That is usually the case," answered Snap. "But once in a while they do as they did to-day—-when there is a large pack of them."
Snap and Shep had made their traps and had some success at fishing, having caught four pike of fair size and also several catfish.
That night came a fall of snow, which covered the ground to the depth of several inches. In the morning it was so cold they were glad enough to hug the fire until nearly noon.
In the afternoon Whopper went out on the lake and soon came back with news.