int
where they touched the trunk. They would have been far too heavy to
be dragged, but three or four of them fell across the lower fire,
and there lay blazing. Not knowing which way the tree itself would
fall, Charlie and his companion were obliged to remain at some
distance off, but the heat there was amply sufficient for them. At
last the trunk fell with a crash, and they at once established
themselves as near the fire as they could sit, without being
scorched, and there chatted until morning began to break.

They felt sure that some, at least, of the wolves were around them,
as they occasionally caught sight of what looked like two sparks
among the undergrowth; these being, as they knew, the reflection of
the fire in the eyes of a wolf. There was a tree hard by in which
they could, if necessary, take refuge, and they therefore resolved
to stay near the fire.

Fortunately the night had been perfectly still, and, as the tree
they had fired was a detached one, the flames had not spread, as
Charlie had at one time been afraid they would do.

Half an hour after daylight had fairly broken, they discharged
three shots at regular intervals with their pistols, then they
waited half an hour.

"Shall we fire again?"

"No. Not until we hear shots from them," Charlie replied. "We have
but four charges left, and if the wolves made a sudden rush, we
might want to use them."

After a time, both thought they heard the distant report of a
musket. Stanislas looked at Charlie inquiringly. The latter shook
his head.

"No, no! Stanislas. That gun would be heard twice as far as one of
these pistols. Let us wait until we are pretty sure that they are
near. I don't like leaving ourselves without other protection than
our axes."

Chapter 13: A Rescued Party.

After a considerable pause, a gun was again fired, this time much
nearer to them. Charlie drew out his pistol and was about to reply,
when his companion touched his arm.

"Look!" he said.

Charlie turned in time to see several gray forms flit rapidly
between the bushes. He stepped to the edge of the road, and saw
some wolves spring out through the bushes, and go straight along
the road.

"What can have scared them?" he asked, in surprise. "The gun was
not near enough for that."

"No, besides they would have fled deeper into the forest, instead
of taking to the road. Perhaps they hear something coming."

Almost at the same moment, two shots were heard in the d