CHAPTER XIII

A RESCUED PARTY

ASMER a considerable pause a gun was again fired, this

time much nearer to them. Charlie drew out his pistol
and was about to reply, when his companion touched his
arm,

“Took!” he said.

Charlie turned in time to see several gray forms flit
rapidly between the bushes. He stepped to the edge of
the road, and saw some wolves spring out through the bushes
and go straight along the road.

“What can have scared them?” he asked in surprise ;
“the gun was not near enough for that.”

“No, besides they would have fled deeper into the forest
instead of taking to the road. Perhaps they hear some-
thing coming.”

Almost at the same moment two shots were heard in the
direction towards which the wolves were making.

“TVhat is it!” Charlie exclaimed excitedly. “Another
body of wolves haye attacked a passing traveller. Heap
the wood on, Stanislas. If we make a great fire, and they
get as far as this, possibly they could spring off and take
refuge here, At any rate the brands will be better weapons
even than our axes.”

The ends of such branches as they were able to move

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