At times there was an interruption in the clamor, but the wolverines did not appear to relax their vigilance in the least. It was as if they had determined to make their evening meal upon the party though they were forced to wait until morning for it. During these intervals of comparative silence our friends gained opportunity for the exchange of a few words, but they were often compelled to shout at the top of their voices to make themselves heard.
During one of these lulls Elwood spoke to Howard.
"What will take place in the morning, when these creatures are not afraid of our fire?"
"I think they will go away."
"Perhaps so: but we are not so sure of that."
"Shasta will no doubt turn the whole thing over in his mind, and be prompt enough to act when the danger comes. I suppose we can take to our canoes and give them the slip in that manner."
"Yes; the Indian appears to have rather a contemptible opinion of them. He scarcely heeds their wrangling."
"He is not so timid as we and Tim are; but he doesn't forget to look at them once in a while, so as not to forget what they are doing."
"They are a savage set of animals. How angry Terror is! Don't you notice that they are trying to entice him to venture out a little nearer them? They hate him more than all of us."
"Do you think so?"