l eat the bear
and then eat us, if we don't drive them off."

"They sha'n't have the bear!" cried Dan; "let's drag him up to the fire
and fight over his body."

"It would be more prudent to skin him and cut off the steaks we may
require," said the Dominie: "we will then drag the body to a distance
and allow the wolves to fight over it, so that we can pick them off at
our leisure or drive the survivors away when they have done their
feast." Shouting and waving brands in our hands we drove the hungry
pack to a distance, where they sat down howling with rage and
disappointment while we, by the bright flames of the fire, succeeded in
skinning the bear and cutting off the tit-bits; we then, as proposed,
dragged the carcase to the borders of the forest-glade in which we were
encamped, and returned to our fire with the skin and meat. No sooner
had the flames produced by some fresh wood thrown on the fire decreased,
than the howling pack drew near the carcase. Concealing ourselves
behind our hut, we waited to watch what would next take place. It was
evident that the brutes were still wary of the fire, for they approached
cautiously: at last one bolder or more hungry than the rest, rushed
forward and commenced gnawing at the carcase. His example was followed
by his companions. We counted upwards of thirty of the savage
creatures, a formidable pack had we been without arms, or a fire, but
they caused us no anxiety about our safety. "Now, boys, wait until I
give the word, and we'll fire together," whispered our Dominie. "I'll
take the one to the right; and you, Mike, take a fellow in the centre;
and you, Dan, knock over a third to the left. We may exterminate the
whole pack, if we take good aim, as the survivors are sure to kill their
wounded companions. Now, fire!"

Dan and I did as he desired, and three wolves rolled over.
Notwithstanding this the greater part of the pack were too eager in
devouring the bear to take much notice of what had occurred. A few,
apparently young wolves, who stood at a distance, howling and yelping,
afraid to approach while the elders were enjoying their feast, ran back
alarmed at the shots. They, however, quickly returned. We immediately
reloaded, and at another signal from Mr Tidey again fired. Two more
wolves were killed, but Dan only slightly wounded an animal, which went
howling away, creating a panic among the outsiders. The rest, still
regardless of the death of so many of thei