But the wolf with its leaps covered three yards to their one, and as the older of the boys looked over his shoulder he saw that the beast was gaining on them.
Fifty yards ahead was the house and thirty yards behind them was the wolf.
Well did the boys know they could not win the race. But they did not lose their heads.
"Father! Harry!" yelled Larry. "Joe! The wolf! the wolf! Get the rifle!"
"The wolf! the wolf!" added Tom. "Shoot the wolf!"
The yells, breaking the stillness of the night, startled Mrs. Alden and the hired men, who were awaiting the coming of Mr. Alden and the boys.
Unable to distinguish the words, the hired men rushed to the door and threw it open. Peering along the path of the light, they saw the forms of the boys.
"Quick! The rifle! The wolf's after us!" shouted Tom.
Fortunately Mr. Alden always kept a loaded rifle on a rack on the kitchen wall with which to shoot foxes that attempted to raid his hen-roost.
Hastily the hired man named Joe sprang for the weapon, seized it and dashed from the door, shouting: