"What's the trouble, Docak?" asked the sailor, now that the subject was broached; "I never saw you look so scared—"
At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by the rifles of the hunters.
Rob and Fred naturally concluded the moment these sounds were identified that it was because of them the native was frightened, he having discovered them before the rest; but Jack knew it was from some other reason. He saw nothing alarming in the approach of a pack of wild animals. The four were well armed, they had a fire, were in a cavern, and could stand off all the wolves in Greenland for a time at least.
"No, it isn't that," muttered the sailor; "but if he doesn't choose to tell I sha'n't coax him."
CHAPTER XXIV
UNWELCOME CALLERS
Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thousand wolves had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and rending the bodies of the musk oxen to fragments. They were far enough removed from the cavern for the inmates to hear each other readily, while discussing the curious occurrence.
The boys could not contemplate a visit from the ravening beasts with the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the brutes would be rendered ten-fold fiercer by their taste of blood, and would not stop until they had devoured them.
"Do you think they will visit us?" asked Rob of Docak.
The latter was standing in the middle of the cavern, in the attitude of listening. He nodded his head, and replied:
"Yes—eat ox—den come here."