may feel interested in its
narration.

"It occurred in the dead of winter, when there was snow upon the ground;
and, in fact, it was the severest winter we experienced during our
sojourn in the valley.

"The lake was frozen over, and the ice was as smooth as glass. Of
course, we spent much of our time in skating about over its surface, as
it gave us health and a good appetite. Even Cudjo had taken a fancy for
this amusement, and was also one of the skaters Frank was fonder of it
than any of us, and was, in fact, the best skater in our community.

"One day, however, neither Cudjo nor I had gone out, but only Frank and
Harry. The rest of us were busy at some carpenter work within doors.
We could hear the merry laugh of the boys, and the ring of their skates,
as they scoured over the smooth ice.

"All at once a cry reached our ears which we knew betokened the presence
of some danger.

"`O Robert!' ejaculated my wife, `they have broken through the ice!'

"We all dropped what we held in our hands, and rushed for the door. I
seized a rope as I ran, while Cudjo laid hold of his long spear,
thinking that that might best help us. This was the work of a moment,
and the next we were outside the house. What was our astonishment to
see both the boys, away at the farthest end of the lake, still upon
their feet, but skating toward us as fast as they could drive! At the
same time our eyes rested upon a terrible object. Close behind them
upon the ice, and following at full gallop, was a pack of wolves! They
were not the small prairie wolves--which either of the boys might have
chased with a stick--but of a species known as the `great dusky wolf of
the Rocky Mountains.' There were six of them in all. Each of them was
twice the size of the prairie wolf; and their long dark bodies, gaunt
with hunger, and crested from head to tail with a high bristling mane,
gave them a most fearful appearance. They ran with their ears set back,
and their jaws apart, so that we could see the red tongues and white
teeth.

"We did not halt a moment, but rushed onward for the lake. I flung down
the rope, and seized hold of a large rail as I ran, while Cudjo hurried
forward, brandishing his spear. Mary, with presence of mind, turned
back into the house for my rifle.

"I saw that Harry was foremost; and that the fierce pursuers were fast
closing upon Frank. This was strange, for we knew that Frank was by far
the best skater. We all cal