"There goes something!" cried Tom presently. "Sam, did you see it?"
"I saw something, but it disappeared before I could make out what it was."
The object had crossed their path a hundred feet ahead of them. Now it reappeared somewhat closer, and both boys saw that it was a lean and hungry-looking wolf.
"A wolf!" cried Sam.
"Wonder if I hadn't better shoot him," said Tom, unslinging his gun.
"Better save your powder, Tom. I don't believe he'll attack us—at least not while it is light."
"A shot might bring an answering signal from Dick," went on Tom suddenly. "What fools we have been, not to think of that before!"
The wolf kept hidden and Tom did not shoot, expecting to see the beast reappear at any instant. On they went, keeping an eye on the bushes and trees on both sides of them. Once they heard the patter of the wolf's feet on a stretch of bare rocks, but that was all.
"I'll fire a shot, anyway," said Tom at last, and aimed in the direction where they had heard the sounds last. To his intense surprise a yelp and a snarl followed.
"Great Cæsar! I hit him after all," began Tom, and then leaped back. "Look out, Sam, he's coming for us!"