branch, however, an increasing danger presented itself. The unusual
howling of the pack and the scent of blood were attracting other wolves
to the spot. Before his club was ready, he had counted seven newcomers
galloping through the snow to join their blood-thirsty brothers.

To put his life in peril by jumping down among so many of the fierce
creatures was to run a greater risk than Ree thought wise; but his
fertile brain presented a new plan. He partially split one end of his
club and securely bound the handle of the knife in the opening thus made,
with strips of buckskin cut from his clothing. In this way he made a
strong but cumbersome spear, and holding to the lowest branch of the
tree, he leaned far down and stabbed and slashed at every wolf within
reach.

Several were wounded and their yelps of pain and rage were added to the
hideous, hungry cries of the others. Again and again the bold boy cut and
thrust as the wolves kept coming within his reach. The snow was dyed with
blood. For half an hour the battle was carried on.

At last by a lucky stroke Ree gave one of the howling mass beneath him so
deep a cut across the neck, that it sprang but a few yards away and fell
dead, its head half cut off. At once the others pounced upon the wolf's
body, tearing it to pieces, scrambling and fighting in a most horrible
manner.

Now was Ree's chance. He leaped quickly to the ground and seized his
blood-stained rifle; in another moment he would have been safe. But he
was so chilled--so stiff from the cold, that he missed his hold when
first he sprang to catch the lowest branch, and before he could try
again, a monstrous gray wolf dashed toward him. With a hungry howl, its
jaws dripping blood, it launched itself through the air, straight for
Ree's throat.

With wonderful nerve the boy stood his ground. He did not falter, nor
hesitate. He met the hot-mouthed, vicious brute, his rude spear clasped
in both hands, and drove the blade deep in its shaggy shoulder. With an
almost human shriek and ferocity the wolf sprang sidewise under the
impulse of the steel's sharp thrust, and the spear quivering in its
flesh, was jerked from the boys' hands.

Ree's first impulse was to run in pursuit, as the wolf dashed into the
woods, to recover his knife; but in an instant the whole pack was upon
him again, having made short work of their cannibal-like feast, and only
by the greatest dexterity was he able again to seize his rifle and climb