The Wolf 323 



and some of the wounded howling, but they were too far 

 away to risk a shot. The fire was let down, and we 

 remained perfectly quiet. 



" We were not long left in ignorance of their intentions. 

 Shortly there was a great commotion among our horses, 

 and we discovered that the pack had divided and were 

 stealing up to our animals on each side, between us and 

 the water. The Kalkas and Kalmucks rushed up to our 

 steeds, uttering loud shouts, and this drove the wolves back 

 again. It was now necessary to guard the horses on three 

 sides, as we could hear the savage brutes quite near. The 

 men anticipated that they would make a rush, cause the 

 animals to break away, and then hunt them down. A 

 Cossack and Kalmuck turned to guard the approaches on 

 each side, and I remained watching at the front. The fire 

 was relighted and kept in a constant blaze by Kalkas add- 

 ing small bushes, and this enabled us to see as well as 

 hear our savage enemies. Presently I discovered their 

 glaring eyeballs moving to and fro, nearer and nearer ; 

 then I could distinguish their grizzly forms pushing each 

 other on. At this moment the rifles cracked to my right, 

 and the fire sent up a bright blaze, which enabled me to make 

 sure of one fellow as he turned his side towards me. I 

 sent the second ball into the pack, and more than one 

 must have been wounded from the howling that came from 

 this direction. The other men had also fired, and I did 

 not doubt with equal effect, for it was certain that they 

 would not throw a shot away. In a few minutes the 

 growling ceased, and all was still except the snorting of 

 some of the horses. Both Kalkas and Kalmucks assured 



