FRIGHTENING THE WOLVES. 199 



swears to this day that there were more than a dozen of 

 these fierce and hungry savages squatted on their haunches 

 within fifty yards of him. 



" MARK, as I said, had no rifle, his only weapons being a 

 hunting knife and a heavy walking stick, which he carried in 

 his hand. To say. that he was not frightened, would be 

 stating what I don't believe to be true, and I've heard him 

 tell how his huntin' cap seemed to be lifted right up on his 

 head, as if every hair pointed straight towards the sky. 

 He looked at the wolves a moment, and then walked on ; 

 but the animals trotted along with him, still, however, 

 keepin' at a respectful distance. Those in advance seemed 

 inclined to cross his path, as if to iurn him towards the cen- 

 tre of the lake, while those behind went further and further 

 from the shore, as if to surround him ; and thus they travelled 

 for near half a mile, MARK making for the open water, 

 which in the coldest weather is always to be found near the 

 outlet of the lake, determined, if they came to close quarters, 

 to take to that and swim for it. He had heard and knew 

 that almost every animal is afraid of the voice of a man ; so 

 he shouted at the top of his voice, and as he said, ripped out 

 some select and choice oaths, which for a moment alarmed the 

 wolves, and they fell back a few rods, still, however, keepin' 

 in a kind of half circle around him. But it was'nt long be- 

 fore they began to gather in on him again, and though his 

 shoutin' and swearin' kept them at a good distance, yet they 

 seemed to be gettin' used to it, and it didn't alarm them as 

 it did at first. MARK had now got within reach of the 



