no chance to shoot. The venison could be plainly seen, but only t

hat beats everything. We don't want t

Jerry. "I think I see a c

le through the hole. The hammer clicked. Then

ong?" whis

as he withdrew the weapon. "You fellows are going to see the liveliest sight of your lives. Here come the w

to witness the coming struggle. They were too

y meat. The long howls changed to qui

e top of the bluff. The catamount had shifted his position, and the boys saw

ed Jerry. "I could put a

ded Brick. "The wolves will

sure of that,"

The opportunity of ridding the boys of a relen

gray forms, gaunt and ravenous with hunger. They darted at the venison,

catamount tumbled out of the heap, and sprang back to the carcass. One wolf lay

ed in twos and threes, reckless of the firelight. White

attack. Then it altered its purpose. It seized the

ls they closed in. The struggle that ensued was simply terrific. The catamount see

nt. "This beats the old Roman shows. Do

"but he'll lose the meat. The

aimed Hamp. "Look

th a screech of baffled fury he bounded into the bushy limbs of a tall

he snow. Here and there limped crippled ones. The rest

ew arrivals came swarming from the forest. Soon more than a

, they swerved to the edge of the glade, sniffed the air for a moment, and came leaping down the bank of the ravine. The patter of their feet was inst

hat the besieged lads were

cried Brick. "They'll be th

on't," yel

st the sled, which had

"It's our only chance. Fire a

igger. The report was followed by a yelp of agony. The wolve

and jammed shells into h

elled, hoarsely. "You fello

two guns, Brick. Keep them loaded. We've got four bet

hat was strapped about his waist. "Help yours

sounded a note of warning as the wo

th a snap on the sleeve of Hamp's jacket. Brick instantly reversed his rifle, and hi

hit him just in time, Brick. Now

fired both barrels. Jerry join

a dozen of the varmints were scratching

hey savage, though? They don't mind the fire a bit

uckshot between the timbers of the cabi

auded Jerry.

enty of powder and shot will tell. Ther

their prey. Still they scurried here and there. From the opening the boys could see the sinewy

he screech of the

we'll have to do much more shooting, though. We've taught the

ching noise was heard overhead. The e

"They must have climbed over the rocks. E

are there," declared Hamp. "Just hear

a dull, ripping noise. Through the gap tumbled a heap of snow from the trees above, a