“But no thought of danger entered my head, and I merely swore a little at the prospect of a late supper, for I was cold and hungry.  Suddenly, however, the danger of my position was brought home to me in a very sudden manner.  Away in the distance I heard the long drawn wolf-howl, than which I firmly believe there is no more blood-curdling sound in existence.  The horses pricked up their ears nervously and hastened their lagging pace, and I myself felt a thrill go up my spine.  It was not many seconds before the first howl was answered by a second, and then a third.

“‘A little faster, my beauties,’ I said to the horses, ’we’re not so far from home now, and it’s up to us to get there pretty pronto.’

“The faithful beasts seemed to understand my words, and strained forward in the harness.  The snow had stopped by this time, but was pretty deep, and the sleigh was heavy.  After trotting forward at a brisk pace for a way they dropped back into a walk again.

“By now the howls had merged into a general chorus, and looking back over the great expanse of open country over which we were traveling I could see numerous black specks traveling swiftly toward us, becoming larger every second.

“I saw that I was in a mighty tight place, so got out my Winchester repeater and made sure that it was loaded.  Then I stationed myself in the back of the sleigh and waited for the enemy to approach.

“On they came, loping swiftly along, silent now that their quarry was in plain sight.  I took careful aim at the foremost brute, and pulled the trigger.  My shot took effect, for with an unearthly scream the animal dropped, and for a few brief seconds his comrades stopped in order to devour him.  At the sound of the rifle shot and the scream of the stricken wolf the horses plunged forward, all thought of fatigue gone in their overwhelming terror.  The wolves were not easily to be outdistanced, though, and were soon after us again.  They gained on us as though we were standing still, and were soon close to the back of the sleigh.  I pumped bullets into them as fast as I could work my repeater, but by this time they were so numerous that it seemed to have little effect.  The horses were slowing down again, even their fear of death unable to force them onward.  I saw it was a case of lighten the sleigh or go under, so I commenced throwing our precious supplies out of the sled.  Bags of flour and sides of bacon flew through the air, and the wolves were momentarily checked while fighting over the prizes.

“I knew that presently they would be up with us again, however, and then, with every resource gone, it looked as though my chances would be slim, indeed.  But suddenly an inspiration shot through my mind.

“I drew up the trembling horses, and with a few slashes of my hunting knife cut the harness that held them to the sleigh.  Then, with my rifle in one hand, I swung onto the back of the larger of the two horses, and let the other go.  He was off like a streak, with my mount a close second.