"Wolves, sure enough, Somers," repeated Hackett excitedly. He seized his gun, and peered anxiously around, while Bob began to feed the fire until great tongues of flame shot upward.
For some moments, there was no repetition of the cries, and both began to hope that they might be unmolested.
But suddenly a dismal medley of yelps and snarls, close at hand, filled the air. Several shadowy forms darted into view, circled around, approached, retreated, then, emboldened, came forward again, while the boys, with their hearts thumping painfully, held their guns ready for instant use.
"We are in for a fight, that's sure," said Bob, in a low voice. "Don't waste a shot."
"DON'T WASTE A SHOT!"
The animals, probably half famished, circled nearer and nearer, snapping and snarling, and occasionally uniting their voices in a volume of howls which made the two boys shiver. Now their gleaming teeth could be seen. Their jaws seemed to snap, as if in anticipation of a feast.
"More than a dozen of 'em, Somers!" exclaimed Hackett, in a strained, tense voice. "Did you ever see such ugly beasts?"