ould see a long line of fresh animals joining from all
sides.

On and on we went, till we left behind the region blackened by the fire,
and I saw before me a wood which the flames had not reached. I made for
it, hoping that the wolves would not follow; or, if they did, then I
might climb a tree, and defend my horse with my rifle as I sat amid the
branches.

I reached the wood, and discovered on the very borders just such a tree
as I desired. The poor animal was trembling all over, and looked in a
wretched plight. My first aim was to make a fire, through which I knew
that the wolves would not venture to pass. While engaged in collecting
fuel, their yelps again sounded in my ears, and before I could produce a
flame I saw them coming on. My only chance now was to mount the tree.
Springing on to my horse, I climbed from his back into the fork of the
tree, where I was out of the reach of my foes. This was the last
service my faithful horse rendered me.

On looking towards the wolves, I perceived, to my dismay, that there
were several large white ones among them, the most savage of their
tribe. I now knew that I must abandon all hope of saving my horse. I
fired at the nearest white wolf and knocked the creature over, but this
did not avail my poor steed, for in an instant he was surrounded and
pulled to the ground, where the dreadful brutes quickly destroyed him.
I loaded and fired, in revenge, as fast as I could; and though at each
shot I killed a wolf, it appeared in no way to diminish their numbers,
while the living lost no time in devouring their dead companions.
Directly I killed a white wolf, the yelling brutes set upon him and tore
him to pieces.

Strange as it may seem, I felt an extraordinary pleasure in thus
destroying the most savage animals of those wilds; but fortunately I
remembered in time that if I continued my sport I might exhaust my
ammunition. I therefore only fired when I was certain of bringing down
one of the larger animals.

Darkness was coming on, but still the wolves showed no inclination to
take their departure. As far as I could tell, they might starve me to
death. Not a particle of my horse was by this time left, for they had
torn even the saddle and bridle to threads, and, excepting the wood and
ironwork, had devoured the whole.

Matters were becoming serious, for I was already desperately hungry.
Could I have discovered even a small bird or any creature in the tree, I
might ha