omewhat more elevated intervened, we found, between us and
the plain on which the buffaloes had been seen.

Rose--who had been leading, while Letty and I walked alongside each
other--at last proposed going back. We--that is, Letty and I--had
forgotten to watch the sun, which was already sinking rapidly towards
the horizon. Just as we turned I caught sight of a number of dark
objects, moving quickly over the snow. For a moment I thought they
might be the huntsmen, but I was soon convinced that they were wolves.
I did not at first apprehend that they were coming towards us, but still
I knew that it would be well to make our way back to camp as fast as
possible. I begged Rose and Letty to go forward while I kept watch on
the proceedings of the wolves.

We had not gone far when to my dismay I felt convinced that they were
making towards us, and I could even hear the faint sounds of their
yelping and barking coming up from the plain below us.

I urged my companions to hasten on while I followed close behind them.
I was in hopes that they were merely coyotes, which are cowardly
creatures; but as they got nearer I saw that they were the larger
species of prairie wolf, too probably rendered savage by hunger. I now
bitterly regretted having allowed my young friends to go so far from the
camp. We were still at too great a distance to make any signal for
assistance.

I knew that by running we should only encourage the wolves to pursue us,
and therefore entreating the young ladies to stop, I placed myself
between them and the yelping pack of brutes, who were now within twenty
yards of us.

The brave girls not only did not continue running, but came up close
behind me--Rose placing herself directly in front of Letty, and holding
her hands to her neck, knowing that they were too likely to spring at
it. I felt that I must make every effort to drive the brutes away.

Shouting at the top of my voice in order to scare them, I fired at the
leader of the pack, and knocked it over; but before I could reload, the
savage animals were close upon me.

Taking my gun by the barrel, I used it as a club and struck with it
right and left. My first blow beat down a wolf close to my feet, when
its hungry companions immediately set upon it, and with fearful yelps
and snarls began tearing it to pieces; but others still came on, gaunt,
starving animals, barking savagely. Another wolf was on the point of
springing at my throat, when I hap