For a few hundred yards Tom travelled well. We gained on the wolves, which, I suppose, observed this fact, for the leader suddenly set up a howl which set my blood running cold, and the others instantly followed suit. There were nine of them; I had counted them while Tom rested.
Manfully Tom struggled on. I could see that the exertion was hurting him fearfully.
'I don't think I can go on very much farther without a rest,' he said, presently. 'The trouble is that next time we wait about they will catch us up.'
'Then you will have to shoot, that's all,' said I, as cheerfully as I could, considering that I was in reality shivering with terror.
'Yes, I shall have to shoot. One shot will be enough, I expect. Probably they will turn and run straight back to the forest at Lachta or Oranienbaum, or wherever they come from. You are not frightened, old chap, are you?'
'Rather not,' said I. Then I added, conscientiously, 'At least, not very much. It's—it's rather a new experience for me, you see.'
A minute later Tom pulled up and sat down.
'Come behind me,' he said, 'just in case any of these brutes should spring at us before I get my little toy to work on them. I shan't shoot until they are within ten yards or so. I want to make sure of one, then they will stop and eat him if they don't run away.'
I got behind Tom and crouched down, and we watched them coming. They were now in full cry, heads down, like a pack of hounds. When within fifty yards of us, the leader raised his head and saw us. He gave a great yelp, and came scudding along, followed by his band. At twenty yards they slowed down and stopped, seeming to lose heart. Suddenly one sat down on his haunches, and his example was followed by two or three others.
As for me, my teeth were all a-chatter with terror. I wished to suggest to Tom that he should try the effect of a careful shot at one of the sitting wolves, but no words would come. I felt as though I were in the grip of a night-mare, awake to the horror of our position, and yet quite helpless. Tom suddenly spoke.