heads, the three Carthaginians
dashed across the intervening space towards the tree.

It seemed as if the wolves were conscious that their prey were
attempting to escape them; for, with a fierce howl, they sprang from the
bushes and rushed to meet them; and, undeterred by the blazing brands,
sprang upon them.

Malchus scarce knew what passed in the short, fierce struggle. One wolf
sprang upon his shield and nearly brought him to the ground; but the
sharp boss pierced its body, and he flung it from him, at the same
moment that he dashed the brand full in the face of another. A third
sprang upon his shoulder, and he felt its hot breath in his face.
Dropping his brand, he drove his dagger deep into its side. Then he
hurled his heavy shield among the mass of wolves before him, took a
bound into their midst, and grasping the bough, swung himself into the
tree and sat there with his legs drawn up as a score of wolves leaped up
towards him with open mouths.

He gave a cry of horror. His two friends were down, and a confused mass
of struggling bodies alone showed where they had fallen. For an instant
he hesitated, debating whether he should leap down and strive to rescue
them; but a glance below showed him that he would be pulled down long
before he could reach the spot where they had fallen.

Shifting himself along the arm until he reached the trunk, he rose to
his feet and sent his arrows vengefully into the midst of the struggling
mass of wolves until he had but three or four shafts left. These he
reserved as a last resource.

There was nothing to do now, and he sat down on the branch, and burst
into tears over the fate of his comrades. When he looked up again all
was quiet. The fierce pack had devoured not only his comrades, but their
own fallen companions, and now sat in a circle with their red tongues
hanging out and their eyes fixed upon him. As the fire gradually died
out their form disappeared; but he could hear their quick breathing, and
knew that they were still on the watch.

Malchus climbed the tree until he reached a fork where he could sit at
ease, and there waited for morning, when he hoped that his foes would
disappear. But as the gray light dawned he saw them still on the watch;
nor, as the dawn brightened into day, did they show any signs of moving.

When he saw they had no intention of leaving the place, Malchus began to
consider seriously what he had best do. He might still be, for aught
he knew, m