ge to
drive a few pegs into the trunk. With his axe he at once cut some holes
as high as he could reach, and then sharpening several pieces of wood,
hardening them in the fire. The trunk was soft, and to his satisfaction
he found that he could make a ladder, by which he could reach the lowest
branches, and thence gain a part of the tree which would afford him a
secure seat, and enable him to fire down upon his assailants, and, as he
hoped, drive them away.

The night wind blowing keenly, he had no wish to take his seat on the
tree till compelled by necessity. Having therefore made his
arrangements he again threw fuel on the fire, and sat down within the
shelter of his hut, with his gun by his side. The howling of the wolves
had ceased, and he hoped that they had turned away from him, and that he
should not be troubled by a visit. A feeling of security stole over
him, and fatigue overcoming his prudence, he again dropped off to sleep.

How long he had thus sat with his eyes closed he could not tell, when he
was awakened by hearing the savage howls of the wolves close to him.
Starting up he caught sight of numberless dark forms, with glaring eyes,
making a circle round the fire, which they were evidently unwilling to
approach, eager as they were to seize their prey. The fire had burnt
somewhat low, and he feared that should the flames cease to ascend they
might make a dash across the embers, and rush upon him.

The tree he had selected was at hand, and he now regretted that he had
not ascended it at first. A few dry sticks were still within his reach.
Springing out of his hut he seized them, and threw them on the fire.
At that moment a savage wolf, either one of the leaders of the pack, or
more hungry than its companions, made a rush at him from one side.
Happily he was prepared, and firing, the creature rolled over. The
instant it was dead the rest of the animals sprang on the body, tearing
it to pieces. Donald on this, after re-loading his gun, having stirred
up the fire so as to make it burn more brightly, ran towards the tree,
up which he began to climb. The short delay of loading his gun might
have proved fatal, for part of the pack perceiving him, came yelping on
furiously, and he had scarcely got his feet out of the reach of their
fangs before the whole pack had collected round him. His gun, which he
had slung at his back, being rather weighty, he was afraid that the pegs
would give way, and that he sh