She ascended the tributary with all the wonderful skill at her command.  Not only the brute that was on the point of leaping at her, but three others, turned as soon as they could poise themselves and went after her at their utmost bent.

But her change of direction was a most fortunate action.  As in the case of the abrupt darting aside, when on the surface of the larger stream, it placed her considerably in advance of the nearest pursuers.  Add to this her power of outspeeding them when the chance was equal, and it will be seen that her only danger was from the front.

The creek was so narrow that if any of the wolves appeared before her she would be lost, for there was not room to manoeuvre as on the larger stream.

But she met none.  The first signals had drawn them to the river, and if there were any near, they and she were mutually unaware of it.

As her brother had said, she was more acquainted with this section than he.  She knew at what points the river and its tributary curved so as to bring them near each other.  Reaching that place, she buried the heels of her skate-runners in the ice, sending the particles about her in a misty shower, and quickly came to a halt.  Then, standing motionless, she listened.

In the distance sounded the howling of the animals so repeatedly disappointed of their prey, but none was nigh enough to cause her misgiving.

“I hope no harm has come to Fred or Monteith,” she murmured.  “Both can skate fast enough to leave the wolves behind; they would have done so at once if they had not been bothered by having me with them.  Now they ought to be able to take care of themselves.”

She sat down on the bank and removed her skates.  The slight layer of snow on the leaves caused no inconvenience, for she was well shod, and the walk was not far.  Her fear was that some of the wolves might sneak up unseen.  Often she stopped and listened, but when half the distance was passed, without any alarm from that source, she believed nothing was to be feared.  A little farther and she reached the main stream, the distance passed being so much less than was necessary for her escorts that she knew that she was in advance of them, even if they had continued their flight without interruption.

Her club skates were securely refastened, and then she listened again.

The cries of the brutes were few and distant and could not cause alarm.

Hark!  A familiar sound reached her.  She recognized it as made by skates gliding over the ice.  Rising to her feet, she remarked, with a smile: 

“I think I will give them a surprise.”  And she did.  The meeting was a happy one, and before the stroke of midnight all three were at home, where they found the mother anxiously awaiting their return and greatly relieved to learn that despite their stirring experience no harm had befallen any member of the little party.

CHAPTER IV.