this time of
the year wolves would be daring enough to attack us."

"They may, however, attack the horses," answered Loraine. "I will go
and warn him, so that he may collect them."

"He is on the alert, depend upon that," said Hector; "and well knows
what to do."

"It is wise to be on the safe side," answered Loraine, getting up.
"Stay by our saddles and provisions, and I will try to find him." He
set off towards where he supposed the horses were feeding.

As soon as he had got beyond the range of the light thrown from the
fire, the darkness became so great that he could with difficulty avoid
running against the trunks of the trees. He stretched out his gun
before him to try and feel the way. Two or three times he saved himself
by this precaution. At last he thought that he must have reached the
spot where Greensnake ought to be found; but though he called out to
him, no answer came. He shouted louder and louder, still there was no
reply, nor could he distinguish the forms of any of the horses against
the sky. He could hear, however, the sound of the yelping and barking
of the wolves, apparently much nearer than before. Still he went on,
forgetting that he ran the risk of losing sight of the fire. At length,
turning round to look for it, intending to go back to the camp, what was
his dismay on being unable to discover the slightest glimmering of light
in any direction! He had proceeded further than he had supposed, and
regretted his folly, for he was well aware how easily he might lose
himself. The sky overhead was obscured, so that the stars afforded him
no guide. He thought that he had turned completely round, but of this
he could not be quite certain, and he feared that by going on he might
only get further and further from the fire. He shouted out--

"Hector, Hector, don't move; but only shout in return, that I may know
where to find you."

Instead of Hector's voice, the barking and yelping of the wolves alone
reached his ear. Probably his shouts had been drowned by the fearful
din they had been making. They served, however, partly to guide him;
but they seemed so near that he expected every moment to be assailed by
them; and in the darkness it would be a difficult matter to defend
himself. Still, being a man of courage and determination, he resolved
to face the danger; and keeping as direct a course as the impediments in
his way would allow, he directed his steps towards the spot whence it
a