o, in the confined space of the cabin, coming the "double
shuffle"--bounding up and down, and whirling round and round, snapping
his fingers and stamping his feet, until the perspiration streamed down
his sooty cheeks. Mike would continue bobbing his head, meanwhile, and
applauding with voice and gesture, though keeping his countenance, and
looking as grave as a judge while listening to the counsel for a
prisoner.

We had now made an opening which enabled us to see the river from our
hut; and Mike declared that we were getting quite civilised, and were
beginning to look like being in the midst of a great city, barring the
houses, and streets, and people.

"Sure, they'll be afther coming one of these days," he added.

"When that happens, it will be time for us to think of moving further
westward," observed Uncle Mark.

A violent storm, which sent the boughs and leaves flying about our
heads, brought the "Indian summer" to a conclusion, and the frost set in
soon afterwards.

One evening, after the day's work was over, and supper had been
finished, we were sitting in our hut employed in various occupations
before turning in for the night, when a low howl reached our ears.

"What is that?" I exclaimed.

Before Uncle Mark could make answer, the howl was answered by another;
and presently, others joining in, the whole forest reverberated with a
melancholy and spirit-depressing chorus.

"Wolves!" said Uncle Mark. "The frost has driven them from the high
ground, and they are contemplating a raid on our porkers and cattle. We
must send them to the right-about, or they will become audacious."

Calling to Mike and Quambo, we put on our coats and sallied forth, armed
with guns and sticks. The moon was shining brightly, so we required no
torches. We made our way over the fallen trunks and rough rocks which
formed the bank of the river, but after a while the howls appeared to
come from a still greater distance than before.

Uncle Mark now called a halt. "The brutes hear us, and are retreating,"
he said. "Keep silence for a few minutes, and maybe we shall catch
sight of them."

Under his directions I seated myself on the trunk of a tree, while he
and the two men stayed near. Presently I caught sight of a pair of
glaring eyeballs, and soon another wolf came into view.

"Get your rifles ready," whispered Uncle Mark. "You, Roger, shoot the
one to the left. I will aim at the next. Mike and Quambo, you take two
o