Throw on some wood, Joe ; they must be taught
to keep their distance, or there'll be no sleep," said
he ; and taking up a brand, he set fire to the pile
outside, which lighting up the forest, the wolves
withdrew, but still kept up their howling at a dis*
tance. It was now evident why Uncle Isaac had
prepared the pile of wood out doors.
"We were careless," said he, "to let the fire get
so low, and might have paid dearly for it."

18



274 THE HABD-SCBABBLB OF ELK ISLAND.
"Why,** said John, "will they tackle men?''

^ Yes, when there is a drove of them, and they
are hungry : they are cowardly, cruel creetars; I hate
'em,'' said he, as they stood gazing on the gaunt
forms flitting among the trees just beyond the line
of fire-light, licking their dry jaws, and snapping
their tusks. One old gray wolf, who seemed to be
a leader, followed the track made by dragging the
bodies of the beavers to the very edge of the
shadow cast by the woods, so that his head and
shoulders were distinctly visible.
" Only see the cruel varmint ! " said XJncle Isaap ;
^see those jaws and tusks, and that great red
tongue. We ought not to waste powder, but that
fellow tempts a man too much : fire at him, John ;
aim for his eyes, and I'll finish him if you don't."

John, needing no second admonition, fired on
the instant, when the wolf, leaping forward, fell his
whole length in the snow, and, rolling over a few
times, stretched out, quivered, and became motion-
less.
" I mean to skin him in the morning," said John.
