greater attraction Skipper Ed knew that the moment the wolves came upon
the trail they would take up the fresh scent, and might overtake them
before they could gain the shelter of the cabin.

As it came about, they were behind the brush hedge, running up the
shore, when the wolves wound out of the gulch and into the open. Through
a break in the brush Skipper Ed saw them dimly, in the distance. The
leaders stopped and sniffed. Suddenly came the howl of pursuit--the
awful, terrifying cry of the wolf pack fresh upon the heels of quarry.
The wolves had turned on the trail and were off up the gulch.

"Run!" commanded Skipper Ed, half under his breath, but still in a tone
so loud and tense that the boys heard. "Run! We must run now for our
lives!"

And they did run, but had scarcely gained the cover of the woods on the
northern side of the open when wolf cries left no doubt that the animals
had discovered the return trail and were hot upon it. It seemed now that
nothing but an intercession of Providence could save them. The wolf pack
would surely overtake them before they could attain the protection of
the cabin.




CHAPTER VIII

THE BATTLE