Success and Failure 



the other side of the tepee. The same inarticulate, 

 silently rustling wrestle succeeded this volley. 



&quot; Wait! &quot; cried Rea. &quot; Be sparin of cartridges.&quot; 



The dogs strained at their chains and bravely 

 bayed the wolves. The hunters heaped logs and 

 brush on the fire, which, blazing up, sent a bright 

 light far into the woods. On the outer edge of that 

 circle moved the white, restless, gliding forms. 



&quot; They re more afraid of fire than of us,&quot; said 

 Jones. 



So it proved. When the fire burned and crackled 

 they kept well in the background. The hunters had 

 a long respite from serious anxiety, during which 

 time they collected all the available wood at hand. 

 But at midnight, when this had been mostly con 

 sumed, the wolves grew bold again. 



&quot; Have you any shots left for the 45-90, besides 

 what s in the magazine?&quot; asked Rea. 



&quot; Yes, a good handful.&quot; 



&quot;Well, get busy.&quot; 



With careful aim Jones emptied the magazine into 

 the gray, gliding, groping mass. The same rustling, 

 shuffling, almost silent strife ensued. 



&quot; Rea, there s something uncanny about those 

 brutes. A silent pack of wolves ! &quot; 



&quot; Ho ! Ho ! &quot; rolled the giant s answer through 



the woods. 



179 



