“Let us sneak up and knock over a couple more of the beasts,” answered his chum.
This was agreed to, and, leaving the fire blazing brightly, they sneaked through the snow to a spot where they could catch sight of the howling and struggling beasts.
Two clever shots caused two more of the wolves to go down. They were the largest and heaviest of the packs, and in a twinkling their fellows leaped upon them, rending them limb from limb.
“What horrible creatures!” said Harry. “They haven’t the slightest feeling for one another!”
“They have been half starved by the heavy fall of snow, Harry. They wouldn’t be that way if they could get anything else.”
Returning to the fire, they reloaded and chopped more wood. In the hollow the wolves continued to snarl and yelp, each trying to get the best of the meat. Occasionally there would be a fierce fight between two wolves lasting for several minutes.
The fire had now dried out the branches hanging over the shelter, and the boys had their hands full keeping the blaze from mounting among the trees. Twice it did catch, but they put out the flames before they gained much headway.
It was not until early morning that the sounds in the hollow ceased. Both of the boys could scarcely keep their eyes open, yet each had refused to go to sleep again.
“I’m going to take another look at those wolves,” said Joe, and walked forward, gun in one hand and firebrand in the other. He moved with caution, but this was unnecessary. Every wolf had vanished.
“They are gone!” he cried joyfully.