THE WOLF OF MUSKOKA 163 



to live and escape. The last words I heard from 

 Jack as I sprang forward with alacrity were : 

 < A tree I ' c A tree ! ' Running at great speed I 

 could not stop to attempt to climb a tree. We 

 had separated at the lake, and had darted off un- 

 consciously in different directions. This apparent 

 misfortune saved my life. The wolves arrived 

 at this spot, where they discovered two distinct 

 scents, paused with uncertainty, and began to 

 scamper in all directions over the ice. It was at 

 this opportune moment that I unexpectedly came 

 upon a small clearing with a rough log-hut in the 

 centre. Breaking cover, I strained every nerve 

 to reach this place, hearing the cries of a huge 

 dog-wolf close upon my track, and knowing that 

 the whole pack was not far off. Barely had I 

 reached the hut, when this wolf, who was far in 

 advance of the rest, made a spring. The timbers 

 creaked and groaned as I hurled my body against 

 the door and avoided this first attack ; then with 

 a loud crash it fell in, and I was free. Jumping 

 to my feet, I quickly blockaded the entrance, 

 dealing heavy blows with an axe upon those who 

 tried to force a passage. 



" Baffled of their prey, the wolves ran round 

 the hut, trying to discover some other means of 



