her dogs came rushing forward, cheered on by John, and flew
upon the animal.

Their united strength soon tore him down to the ground, and John coming
up, as the wolf defended himself against his new assailants, put the
muzzle of his rifle to the animal's head, and shot it dead.

The two sisters had held up during the whole of this alarming struggle;
but as soon as they perceived the wolf was dead and that they were safe,
Mary could stand no longer, and sank down on her knees, supporting her
sister, who had become insensible.

If John showed gallantry in shooting the wolf, he certainly showed very
little towards his cousins. He looked at Mary, nodded his head towards
the wolfs body, and saying "He's dead," shouldered his rifle, turned
round and walked back to the house.

On his return, he found that the party had just come back from hauling
up the punt, and were waiting the return of the Misses Percival to go to
breakfast.

"Was that you who fired just now, John?" said Martin.

"Yes," replied John.

"What did you fire at?" said Alfred.

"A wolf," replied John.

"A wolf! where?" said Mr Campbell.

"At the cow-lodge," replied John.

"The cow-lodge!" said his father.

"Yes; killed Sancho!"

"Killed Sancho! why, Sancho was with your cousins!"

"Yes," replied John.

"Then, where did you leave them?"

"With the wolf," replied John, wiping his rifle very coolly.

"Merciful Heaven!" cried Mr Campbell, as Mrs Campbell turned pale; and
Alfred, Captain Sinclair, Martin, and Henry, seizing their rifles,
darted out from the house, and ran with all speed in the direction of
the cow-house.

"My poor girls!" exclaimed Mr Campbell.

"Wolfs dead, father," said John.

"Dead! Why didn't you say so, you naughty boy?" cried Mrs Campbell.

"I wasn't asked," replied John.

In the meantime the other party had gained the cow-house; and, to their
horror, beheld the wolf and dog dead, and the two young women lying on
the snow, close to the two animals; for Mary had fainted away shortly
after John had walked off. They rushed towards the bodies of the two
girls, and soon discovered that they were not hurt. In a short time
they were recovered, and were supported by the young men to the house.

As soon as they arrived, Mrs Campbell took them into their room, that
they might rally their spirits, and in a quarter of an hour returned to
the party outside, who eagerly inquired how they were.

"They are much more composed