i 3 8 A SPORTING PARADISE 



that nothing could reach me without the removal 

 of the sleigh, and this could not be accomplished 

 without a noise sufficient to awaken me. The 

 wolves being unable to force themselves through, 

 began to fight furiously among themselves, biting, 

 snarling, and snapping with their sharp teeth as 

 they rushed to and fro jumping over each other, 

 or standing for an instant with their front paws 

 upon the back of a companion, whose head was 

 thrust fiercely forward among the debris of the 

 door. In this way they formed a living ladder 

 reaching to the top. One huge brute, more 

 ravenous than the rest, actually succeeded in 

 wedging his head and shoulders against the roof. 

 Maddened by hunger and regardless of his 

 fate, he scraped and tore with his teeth until the 

 whole fabric trembled and tottered. It was at 

 this moment that the wolves raised a howl, as 

 though they would awaken the dead, and I 

 drowsily opened my eyes and looked about me. 

 It was very dark, but I knew that my rifle lay 

 close by my side, loaded and ready for use. As 

 I listened to the hideous scuffling and noise, I 

 could not resist an uncanny sensation, and I 

 trembled. I seized my rifle, and tried to look 

 along the barrel preparatory to risking a shot, 



