SNOWED UP. 
311 
"Look at his tail, missus ! " whispered Chloe. "He's 
as scaret as I am. Oh, Lor' ! what shell we do ! " 
She was right. The big Newfoundland's tail was be- 
tween his legs, and he was trembling from head to foot. 
"Wake up, wake up, John ! " cried Mrs. Button, arous- 
ing her sleepy husband. " There's something outside the 
hut. Look at the dog ! " 
By this time little Nat and Flossie were beside their 
mother. 
Again that fearful howl, so much nearer, and repeated 
in such prolonged chorus, that every one started. The 
women shook with fear. 
" Let's go out and see what it is," said Nat, calmly, 
stepping toward the door and opening it. 
Mr. Button sprang forward, dragged the boy back, and 
slammed the door again ; none too soon, for within a rod 
of the hut were a dozen dark, shadowy forms, with fiery 
eyes and snarling mouths. Even as Mr. Button closed 
the door two or three of them sprang forward. 
A renewed howl arose at their disappointment. 
"' Wolves," said Mr. Button, calmly, turning to his wife. 
"As long as we keep indoors we are safe." 
Mrs. Button shuddered, as she thought of the freedom 
with which they had all strayed away from the hut during 
the past week. 
" They have found game scarce, just as we have," 
added Mr. Button, "and that makes them ugly and 
bold" — 
