oped with hard
travelling to reach Klassan by to-morrow night. Besides, there is not
much food left, only a little bacon, bread, and a few beans. Oh, well,
I'll sleep on it, and in the morning perhaps I may see more clearly."

The fire roared cheerfully, seizing with avidity upon the dry fir
sticks. The sparks shot up into the darkness, whirling, twisting, and
dancing, like so many happy fairies. The tall trees stood out in bold
relief, sombre and silent. "Yes," he mused, "I believe it's a warning,
and I must no longer hesitate. That poor fellow needs help, and no
doubt this dog was guided by some good angel. I must go as soon as the
day breaks, and leave the matter of food to the Father's care."

With the fire well replenished, and the loaded rifle close at hand,
Keith rolled himself up in his wolf-skin robe and was soon fast asleep.

It seemed that he had lain but a short time, when he was aroused by a
weight pressing against his body, accompanied by a startling noise.
Half dazed, he lifted himself to a sitting posture and looked around.
The fire was almost out and the charred sticks were emitting but a
feeble glow. The weight against his body was caused by the dog,
huddling near as possible and growling in the most ferocious manner.
It did not take long to understand the creature's terror, for a sound
fell upon his ears which caused his heart to beat fast and a cold chill
to pass through his body. Out of the darkness came the long-drawn
howls, which he easily recognized. They were wolves, drawing nearer
and nearer, how many he could not tell. Quickly throwing a few fresh
sticks on the smouldering embers, he seized his rifle, examined it
carefully, and looked to the keen knife in his belt.

"Never mind," he remarked to the crouching form at his feet. "We'll
give them a warm reception, at any rate."

"O-o-o-ow. O-o-o-ow," came those awful sounds, at any time terrible to
hear, but at night in the lonely wild, how appalling!

Keith strained his eyes through the darkness in an effort to catch a
glimpse of the enemy. That they were bearing down upon him there was
no doubt. But look as he might nothing was to be observed except the
trees standing silently around. Presently the howlings ceased, and all
was still. What did this signify? That the wolves had gone on some
other scent? Ah, no. Keith was too well accustomed to the ways of
these creatures to believe such a thing. He knew that the stillness