he made as if to
spring upon the boys.

Tom was in front of the sled and Sam behind it. With a quick leap Tom
cleared the load and took up a position beside the youngest Rover.

The wolf made the leap, but stopped short on the top of the load. As he
prepared to spring again Tom swung his gun around by the barrel and hit
the wolf a smart rap on the head. The animal rolled over on the ground.

"Shoot him, Sam!"

"I will, if I can!" came from Sam, who had now unslung his gun. Taking a
quick aim, he fired.

The shot proved a good one, for it took the wolf directly in the neck,
just as he was scrambling to rise. Again he gave a yelp, and then began
to turn over and over in his intense pain. Of a sudden he leaped up and
landed on Tom's shoulder.

For the instant poor Tom thought his last moment had come. But as the
beast landed Sam struck it with his gun, and down it went once more,
snarling viciously. Then it rolled and tossed until some brush was
gained, when it managed to hide itself and crawl away, seriously, if not
mortally, wounded.

"He's gone!" came from Sam.

"Well, don't go after him," panted Tom. "Let him go and welcome. I never
want to see him again."

"Nor I."

Both reloaded with all haste--having learned years before that it is
foolish to remain in the wilds with an empty firearm. Then they waited,
to see if the wolf would return.

"Hark!" cried Sam. "Did you hear that shot, Tom?"

"I did. I think it came from that direction." And Tom pointed with his
hand.

"I think so myself. It must be Dick or Mr. Barrow, firing."

"More than likely. Let us follow up the shot."

They listened, but no more shots followed, and then they went on, over a
stretch which was comparatively smooth and free from brushwood. But
though they covered a quarter of a mile they saw nothing either of the
river or of their lost companions.

"We're getting lost more than ever," groaned Sam. "I declare I haven't
the least idea where we are."

"I'm going to fire another shot," answered his brother, and proceeded to
do so.

Both listened with strained ears, and soon an answering shot came back,
slightly to the left of the path they had been pursuing.

"Thank fortune, we are getting closer!" cried Sam. "Come on!"

As worn out as they were, they resumed the dragging of the sled through
the snow. Once Sam had suggested they abandon the load, but Tom would
not hear of this, for he knew they could not very well do without thi