eared from view. The three wolves
that remained began to snap and snarl and show their teeth.

"Gracious! they are certainly hungry-looking beggars!" was Randy's
comment.

"Come on, let's shoot them!" exclaimed Jack.

"They're no good for game," interposed Randy.

"I know that, Randy. But we don't want them on the island, and neither
does Uncle Barney."

"I thought he said there weren't very many wolves left. Maybe----"

Fred, who was speaking, got no further, for at that moment the three
hungry-looking wolves crouched low, and then sprang straight in the
direction of the four young hunters!

CHAPTER XXVI

JACK FREES HIS MIND

"Jump for your lives!"

"Shoot them!"

These cries had scarcely been made when Jack's gun rang out and the
foremost of the three wolves was hit in the foreleg. He gave a plunge,
and rolled over in the snow, snapping and snarling viciously. The report
of the weapon was followed by the discharge of Randy's gun, but his aim
was wild and the charge passed harmlessly over the heads of the wolves.

"Shoot them!"

"Club them!"

Then another shot rang out as Fred swung into action. It was at close
range, and the charge of shot tore directly into the throat of the
leading wolf, causing him to leap high into the air, and then fall over
on his back. He plunged for a moment, sending the snow flying in every
direction, and then lay still.

Shocked evidently by the fate that had overtaken both of his
companions, the third wolf came to a sudden halt. With eyes glaring
fiercely, he snapped and then leaped for the nearest rocks.

[Illustration: THE WOLF RECEIVED A BLOW THAT BOWLED HIM OVER.

_Page 260_]

"Shoot him, somebody! We want to get all three of them!"

Crack! Bang! went a rifle and a shotgun almost simultaneously, but the
aim of the two marksmen was poor, and only a few scattering shots went
through the tail of the wolf. Then, with a wild yelp, he disappeared
behind the rocks, and that was the last seen of him. In the meantime,
the wounded beast was snapping and snarling most ferociously. He sent a
shower of loose snow toward the Rovers, and then made a desperate leap
at Jack.

It was a time of dire peril, and no one realized it more than did the
oldest Rover boy. He attempted to retreat, but to do so in snowshoes was
too much for him, and over he went on his side in a deep bank of snow,
almost disappearing from view.

"The wolf is on top of Jack!"

"Shoot him--but b