Part 23 (1/2)

”I don't think we're getting lost, Sam; we _are_ lost, no two ways about it. We've got to keep our eyes open and our wits about us, or we'll be getting into a first-cla.s.s mess.”

”It must be almost noon,” went on the youngest Rover, and pulled out his watch. ”Phew! Half-past twelve!”

”Thought I was hungry. Is there anything in this load good to eat?”

”I don't know. Let us look and see. We can't go on, hungry.”

They unstrapped the load and examined it. There were blankets there and some camp utensils, and a box containing crackers, cheese, and chipped beef.

”Crackers and cheese will do on a pinch,” said Tom. ”Come, we mustn't lose more time than is necessary.”

Yet eating and resting was very pleasant, and they spent the best part of half an hour under the sheltering limbs of a big cedar tree. Both were dry, but eating snow did not seem to quench their thirst. The wind increased as they ate, but the snow now came down more lightly.

They decided to strike out on something of a trail running to the northwest. It was hard work hauling and carrying the sled over the rocks and through the bushes, and they often had to halt for breath.

”There goes something!” cried Tom presently. ”Sam, did you see it?”

”I saw something, but it disappeared before I could make out what it was.”

The object had crossed their path a hundred feet ahead of them. Now it reappeared somewhat closer, and both boys saw that it was a lean and hungry-looking wolf.

”A wolf!” cried Sam.

”Wonder if I hadn't better shoot him,” said Tom, unslinging his gun.

”Better save your powder, Tom. I don't believe he'll attack us--at least not while it is light.”

”A shot might bring an answering signal from d.i.c.k,” went on Tom suddenly. ”What fools we have been, not to think of that before!”

The wolf kept hidden and Tom did not shoot, expecting to see the beast reappear at any instant. On they went, keeping an eye on the bushes and trees on both sides of them. Once they heard the patter of the wolf's feet on a stretch of bare rocks, but that was all.

”I'll fire a shot, anyway,” said Tom at last, and aimed in the direction where they had heard the sounds last. To his intense surprise a yelp and a snarl followed.

”Great Caesar! I hit him after all,” began Tom, and then leaped back.

”Look out, Sam, he's coming for us!”

Tom was right. The wolf, wounded in the left flank, had suddenly appeared. His eyes blazed with pain and fury, and he made as if to spring upon the boys.

Tom was in front of the sled and Sam behind it. With a quick leap Tom cleared the load and took up a position beside the youngest Rover.

The wolf made the leap, but stopped short on the top of the load. As he prepared to spring again Tom swung his gun around by the barrel and hit the wolf a smart rap on the head. The animal rolled over on the ground.

”Shoot him, Sam!”

”I will, if I can!” came from Sam, who had now unslung his gun. Taking a quick aim, he fired.

The shot proved a good one, for it took the wolf directly in the neck, just as he was scrambling to rise. Again he gave a yelp, and then began to turn over and over in his intense pain. Of a sudden he leaped up and landed on Tom's shoulder.