Words cannot express my feelings at this moment. My very heart seemed to stop beating. I tried to cry out, but found I could not make a sound.
At the edge of the opening the animal paused, as if to take in the situation. Then it moved to a point somewhere behind me.
What was it? A fox, a wolf, or some larger animal? The very thought of its presence gave me a thrill of horror.
For one moment all was silent. I saw or heard nothing of the animal. Had it left the neighborhood? Oh, how I prayed that this might be so!
Then I heard the noise again, off to the right. At first it was faint, as if going from me; but then it became louder, and I knew that the animal was approaching once more.
How I wished that I was free and that I had my gun! But I was helpless, and must take whatever came.
A moment dragged by slowly. My nerves were strung to the highest tension. I strained my eyes, but could see nothing.
Suddenly I caught sight of the eyes again. To me they seemed like twin stars, and my hair fairly stood on end as I beheld them.
Then came a growl, low at first, and then louder. It was the unmistakable mutterings of a wolf!