Standing on the seat, the men prepared to fire at the wolves directly ahead, signing to the boys to lean over, one on each side, and take those on the flanks of the horses.  All this was done in a very few seconds, as the sledge glided steadily along towards the fast-approaching foes.  When these came within fifty yards, the horses were sent forward at full gallop.  In another second or two the four barrels of the woodmen poured their contents into the mass of wolves.  The boys waited until the horses were fairly among them, and then they fired.

A hideous chorus of yells arose, and the horses at full speed dashed in upon the pack.  Already a lane had been prepared for them, and, trampling over dead and dying, they rushed through.  In spite of the execution done by the heavy charges of the midshipmen’s double-barrel guns, several wolves tried to spring into the sledge as it went past, and one of them succeeded in leaping upon one of the horses.  The animal made a wild plunge, but in an instant one of the woodmen sprang to the ground, and buried his long knife in the beast; then, as the sledge swept on again, he caught at the side and clambered into the car before the wolves, who had already turned in pursuit, could come up to him.

The guns were quickly loaded again, and another volley poured into the wolves.  Then the coachman, knowing that one of the horses was hurt, and both nearly mad with fright, let them have their heads, and the sledge darted away at a pace which soon left the wolves far in the rear.  So rapid was the motion indeed, that the boys held on to the sides, expecting every moment that the sledge would be dashed against the trees which lined the road.  The coachman, however, kept the horses straight, and, quieting them down, again brought them to a standstill, when the cloths were taken off their heads, and the journey to the chateau completed at a steady pace.

“That’s sharp work,” Jack said, when the wolves had been fairly left in the rear.  “They call that wolf-hunting.  I call it being hunted by wolves.  These are fine fellows; they were as cool as cucumbers.”

“I’ve nearly broken my shoulder,” Dick grumbled, “The gun with those tremendous charges kicked like a horse.  Well, it’s fine fun anyhow, but its rather too risky to be often repeated.  If two or three of those fellows had got hold of the horses’ heads, they would all have been upon us, and very short work they would have made of us if they had.”

“Ugh!” Jack said with a shudder.  “What teeth they have! and what mouths!  It seemed like a sort of nightmare for a moment with those great open mouths and shining teeth, as they leaped towards us, as we rushed past.  I hope I shan’t dream about them.”

“No fear of that,” Dick said laughing.  “The countess said that some supper should be ready for us when we got back.  I feel tremendously peckish.  After the night air, and plenty of hot tea and a good tuck-in, we shall sleep without dreaming, I can venture to say.”