162 A SPORTING PARADISE 



and yet unable to move. This was my con- 

 dition when Jack's voice moved me to action. 

 Bracing myself for one last rush, I took to the 

 ice and passed swiftly over to the other side. 

 The wolves had gained so rapidly upon us that 

 their cries deadened my voice as I shouted 

 madly to my companion. Turning my head, I 

 perceived they were now visible. Their glaring 

 eyes shone like fire in the darkness, and their 

 numbers were so overwhelming that my heart 

 sank within me, and I gave myself up as lost. 

 I still struggled on, however, though I felt like 

 a man fighting in a dream, who can neither 

 ward off nor strike a blow. Then gradually 

 my powers and energies became paralysed : my 

 brain began to whirl ; my knees trembled as 

 though I was about to fall, and I became as 

 a man stunned and stupefied. The trees, to my 

 erratic brain, appeared like moving objects passing 

 before me in rapid flight, and then I became 

 blinded. 



" While in this state of helpless inactivity I felt 

 the grip of Jack's iron grasp as he clutched my 

 arm and, half-carrying me, rushed onward. This 

 temporary aid worked wonders ; in a minute my 

 faculties were restored to me with a determination 



