uches, a fire was soon lit, and some choice portions of a deer
which they had killed early in the day were soon broiling on sticks over
it.

"We must keep watch by turns," Halcon said; "it will not do to let
the fire burn low, for likely enough we may be visited by bears before
morning."

After eating their meal and chatting for some time, Halcon and his
companions lay down to rest, Malchus volunteering to keep the first
watch. For some time he sat quietly, occasionally throwing logs on the
fire from the store which they had collected in readiness. Presently
his attitude changed, he listened intently and rose to his feet. Several
times he had heard the howls of wolves wandering in the woods, but he
now made out a long, deep, continuous howling; he listened for a minute
or two and then aroused his companions.

"There is a large pack of wolves approaching," he said, "and by the
direction of the sound I judge they are hunting on the traces of our
footsteps. That is the line by which we came down from yonder brow, and
it seems to me that they are ascending the opposite slope."

"Yes, and by the sound there must be a very large pack of them," Halcon
agreed; "pile up the fire and set yourselves to gather more wood as
quickly as possible; these beasts in large packs are formidable foes."

The three men set to work, vigourously cutting down brushwood and
lopping off small boughs of trees with their swords.

"Divide the fire in four," Halcon said, "and pile the fuel in the
centre; they will hardly dare to pass between the fires."

The pack was now descending the slope, keeping up a chorus of howls and
short yelps which sent a shiver of uneasiness through Malchus. As the
wolves approached the spot the howling suddenly ceased.

"They see us," Halcon said; "keep a sharp lookout for them, but do not
throw away a shot, we shall need all our arrows before daylight."

Standing perfectly quiet, the friends could hear the pattering sound
made by the wolves' feet upon the fallen leaves; but the moon had sunk
now, and they were unable to make out their figures.

"It seems to me," Malchus said in a whisper, "that I can see specks of
fire gleaming on the bushes."

"It is the reflection of the fire in their eyes," Halcon replied. "See!
they are all round us! There must be scores of them."

For some time the wolves approached no closer; then, encouraged by the
silence of the little group standing in the centre of the fire, two or