The pole was soon cut and the wolf in readiness to be lifted, but
the horses still refused to stand steady.

"Blindfold them, Harry," Ernest said suddenly, "and tie them up to
two trees a few feet apart."

This was soon done, and the boys then patted and soothed them until
they became quiet. The pole was now lifted, and this time they
managed to lay it across the saddles and to lash it securely to
the cantles. Then they mounted, and taking the bandages off the
horses' eyes set out on their way. The horses were fidgety at first,
but presently fell into a quiet walk.

For upwards of an hour they heard nothing of the huntsmen. Not a
sound broke the stillness of the forest; the sun was shining through
the leafless trees, and they were therefore enabled to shape their
course in the direction in which they had come. Presently they
heard the sound of a shot, followed by several others, and then
the bay of hounds. The sound came from their left.

"They have been trying a fresh place," Ernest said, "and I expect
they have come upon two wolves; one they have shot, the hounds are
after the other."

They turned their horses' heads in the direction of the sounds,
and presently Harry said:

"They are coming this way."

Louder and louder grew the sounds of the chase; then the deep tones