talk to him
by the help of the few Spanish words his memory could muster,
though their conversation was often interrupted by one or the other
having to fire a shot.

It was no easy task for the two men to understand each other, but,
most fortunately, Glenarvan knew a great deal of the peculiarities
of the red wolf; otherwise he could never have interpreted the Indian's
words and gestures.

As it was, fully a quarter of an hour elapsed before he could get
any answer from Thalcave to tell Robert in reply to his inquiry.

"What does he say?"

"He says that at any price we must hold out till daybreak.
The AGUARA only prowls about at night, and goes back to his lair
with the first streak of dawn. It is a cowardly beast, that loves
the darkness and dreads the light--an owl on four feet."

"Very well, let us defend ourselves, then, till morning."

"Yes, my boy, and with knife-thrusts, when gun and shots fail."

Already Thalcave had set the example, for whenever a wolf came
too near the burning pile, the long arm of the Patagonian dashed
through the flames and came out again reddened with blood.

But very soon this means of defense would be at an end.
About two o'clock, Thalcave flung his last armful of combustibles
into the fire, and barely enough powder remained to load
a gun five times.

Glenarvan threw a sorrowful glance round him. He thought of the lad
standing there, and of his companions and those left behind,
whom he loved so dearly.

Robert was silent. Perhaps the danger seemed less imminent
to his imagination. But Glenarvan thought for him, and pictured
to himself the horrible fate that seemed to await him inevitably.
Quite overcome by his emotion, he took the child in his arms,
and straining him convulsively to his heart, pressed his lips
on his forehead, while tears he could not restrain streamed
down his cheeks.

Robert looked up into his face with a smile, and said,
"I am not frightened."

"No, my child, no! and you are right. In two hours daybreak
will come, and we shall be saved. Bravo, Thalcave! my
brave Patagonian! Bravo!" he added as the Indian that moment
leveled two enormous beasts who endeavored to leap across
the barrier of flames.

But the fire was fast dying out, and the DENOUEMENT of the terrible
drama was approaching. The flames got lower and lower.
Once more the shadows of night fell on the prairie, and the glaring
eyes of the wolves glowed like phosphorescent balls in the darkness.
A few minutes longer, and the whole pack would be in the inclosure.

Thalcave loaded his carbine for the last time, killed one
more enormous monster, and then folded his arms. His head
sank on his chest, and he appeared buried in deep thought.
Was he planning some daring, impossible, mad attempt to repulse
the infuriated horde? Glenarvan did not venture to ask.

At this very moment the wolves began to change their tactics.
The deafening howls suddenly ceased: they seemed to be going away.
Gloomy silence spread over the prairie, and made Robert exclaim:

"They're gone!"

But Thalcave, guessing his meaning, shook his head.
He knew they would never relinquish their sure prey till daybreak
made them hasten back to their dens.

Still, their plan of attack had evidently been altered.
They no longer attempted to force the entrance, but their new
maneuvers only heightened the danger.

They had gone round the RAMADA, as by common consent, and were trying
to get in on the opposite side.

The next minute they heard their claws attacking the moldering wood,
and already formidable paws and hungry, savage jaws had found their way
through the palings. The terrified horses broke loose from their halters
and ran about the inclosure, mad with fear.

Glenarvan put his arms round the young lad, and resolved to defend him
as long as his life held out. Possibly he might have made a useless
attempt at flight when his eye fell on Thalcave.

The Indian had been stalking about the RAMADA like a stag,
when he suddenly stopped short, and going up to his horse,
who was trembling with impatience, began to saddle him with the most
scrupulous care, without forgetting a single strap or buckle.
He seemed no longer to disturb himself in the least about the
wolves outside, though their yells had redoubled in intensity.
A dark suspicion crossed Glenarvan's mind as he watched him.