g, and then of a
fierce fight outside.

[Illustration: THE SLAUGHTERED WOLVES.]

"They are killing and eating the wounded," Luka said; "when they have
done that they will come again. Let them get close up next time."

In a few minutes the entrance to the tunnel was darkened again, and then
cleared. The dead wolves had been pulled away. Another quarter of an
hour and the animals reappeared. As all was silent they gradually
approached. Godfrey could hear their panting, and presently heard a
noise against the bars. A moment later there was a rush and an outburst
of snarling growls, then he and Luka drove their spears again and again
between the bars, yells of pain following each stroke. The animals in
front were unable to retreat, and the others behind crowded in upon
them, maddened with the smell of blood, and all trying to get first at
their prey. They quarrelled and fought among themselves, while their
cries and growls were answered by the furious barking of the dogs in the
shelter below.

In two or three minutes Godfrey, who had reloaded his gun, fired both
barrels into the mass, and at the flash and sound the wolves again fled.
This time they did not venture to re-enter the passage. Occasionally one
showed itself, and was instantly shot by Godfrey or Luka, who took turns
on watch throughout the night. As soon as the dim light broke they
removed the bar and issued out with the dogs. A dozen wolves lay dead
outside the bars, seven were scattered round the entrance. Godfrey shot
two more who were lurking under the trees, while Luka sent an arrow
through another.

"There are plenty of them about still," Godfrey said. "Let us get three
or four of the dead ones upon a branch out of their reach as food for
the dogs, drag the rest away from the entrance to the tunnel, and bring
the others up from below. That will give them, with the three we have
shot now, enough for a big meal. Then I should think they would move
off."

This was accordingly done, and they went below and cooked breakfast,
while the dogs feasted on a dead wolf. Then they lay down for three
hours' sleep. When they went up again the dead wolves had disappeared,
only a few bones and the blood-marked snow showing where they had lain.
Godfrey fired a couple of shots to scare away any that might be
lingering in the neighbourhood, and then replacing the bars they went
out hunting, and from that time heard no farther of the wolves.

They continued their hun