e
out, and the thermometer was down to zero. I lifted myself up on my
elbow while I was recovering my senses after my sleep, when not five
paces on the other side of the wall I saw what looked like at least a
dozen sparks of light in a row, reaching across the mouth of the cave,
while farther off appeared several other small fiery orbs. I looked and
looked again.

"Fireflies," said I to myself, half dreaming. "Bosh! fireflies in
midwinter on the top of a mountain!" I rubbed my eyes. "Sparks from my
fire?" Several peculiar low snarling growls made me start up, wide
awake with a vengeance. "Wolves!" I said to myself; "there is no doubt
about it." The brutes had smelt me out, and with their usual caution,
they were making this advance to commence an attack.

How many there were I could not tell, but there must have been a flock
of them--parents and children, the biggest and fiercest as usual in the
van. I concluded that they had not yet seen me in the dark, but I knew
that they would find me out as soon as I moved. I felt quietly for my
rifle, and got that ready to fire when it was required. Then I lay
watching the brutes as slowly they crept on, one foot before the other,
just as a pointer advances towards where the covey lies hid. In another
instant they might spring upon me. It struck me that they probably did
not like the embers of the fire, so I took my long pole, and beat or
stirred up the ashes with it, making them send forth showers of sparks.
I fancied that the wolves were retreating, so I jumped up, and threw the
bundle of sticks which had served me for a pillow, as well as all others
on which I could lay my hands, upon the ashes. This act exposed me to
the view of the hungry brutes, who instantly, with loud growls, rushed
back towards me. Just then the dry sticks, aided by a puff of wind,
ignited, and blazing up exhibited the whole savage troop to me. It was
a highly picturesque scene I doubt not, the fire blazing up, and the
dark rugged walls of the cavern, and my figure brought into strong
light, with my gleaming brand pointed towards my savage assailants; but
I don't mean to say I thought about that just then. All I saw were the
fierce glaring eyes, the shaggy coats, and the hungry-looking fangs of
the brutes, as they licked their jaws in anticipation of the feast they
hoped to enjoy off me. I did not, however, like to throw away a shot
among them, which could only have killed one, so I wa