ept brilliantly burning. Some of the men were
busily engaged in getting the guns and ammunition ready and in making
other arrangements that would aid to success in the approaching battle.

To Mr Ross the Indians left the work of calling up the boys and
informing them of the coming danger. This he speedily did, and great
was their surprise when informed of the fact that in all probability
they were in for a fierce battle with an unknown number of savage
wolves.

To judge by their howlings the wolves were still a long distance from
the camp. The hearing of the Indians is very acute, and when the
temperature is down so low that the mercury is frozen, sounds are heard
very much more distinctly, and from a greater distance, than under
ordinary atmospheric conditions. Thus there was fortunately a little
time for preparation ere they would have to meet the fierce assault.

The boys were each urged to quickly put the harness on their own dogs
and bring them into the camp, which was rapidly being enlarged. The old
dogs, that had a wholesome dread of wolves, were, it was thought, wise
enough to look after themselves. Before even Mr Ross and the boys had
heard the wolves, the old dogs had detected falling on their ears the
melancholy sound, and trembling with fear they came crowding into the
camp, and to the feet of their different drivers.

Trees were fallen all around, under the vigorous blows of the choppers,
and were being cut into lengths that could be carried in. Three or four
men would seize hold of these great dry logs and speedily bring them
into the position which they well knew would be to the best advantage.
The sleds were rearranged, and so placed that logs could be piled on
them. The harnesses were all hung high, and everything made as secure
as possible. Wolves are afraid of fire, and so now it was that on this
fire the Indians were going mainly to depend. Already the men had
thrown a number of fresh logs on the fire, as well as extended it out in
crescent shape to the right and left. Behind the camp they cut down a
number of the trees, so placing them that they made a natural barricade
as they crashed into each other. It was not at all wolf-proof, but it
would prevent a rush attack, and those bold enough to try to venture
through could be easily seen and shot.

About five hundred yards from the camp the trail made quite an ascent
ere the camp was reached. Up to the moment when the wolves reached th