"'Take care!' said I. 'Sit still!'"
"'Harry!' said she, whispering, as if afraid the wolves would overhear her, 'Harry, I heard a shot!'"
"'Some tree cracking with the frost,' said I."
"'It was a rifle shot!' said she, positively. 'There, again!'"
"I heard it this time—the unmistakable sharp crack of a rifle—and then a distant shout."
"'Safe! Safe!' I cried, exultingly. 'They have taken the alarm and have come out to look for us!'"
"I put my two fingers in my mouth and gave a loud, shrill whistle—a peculiar whistle, which my grandfather and I had agreed upon as a signal when he was needed at the mill. It was answered by another shout, and presently I saw through the trees the red light of torches and lanterns. The wolves took to flight as they approached, and we were saved."
"It had turned out as I had hoped. Once free from incumbrance, Charley had gained on his pursuers and reached the open country where they dared not follow him. He took the straight road home as a matter of course, and came clattering round to the back door."
"'There are the children, at last!' remarked my grandfather, rising; but, just as he was about opening the door, Peter, the black man, came in, looking decidedly startled, and as pale, my grandfather said afterwards, as could possibly be expected of as black as his hat."
"'I'se afraid something has happened to the young folks, boss,' said he. 'Charley has come home by hisself without the cutter, and a great bite on his flank. I'se dreadful afraid something bad has happened.'"