Lying down on the bough, and twisting his legs firmly under it to give him a purchase, Malchus thrust his sword nearly to the hilt between the jaws, which snapped fiercely as a wolf sprang to within a few inches of the bough.

Several were killed in this way, and the rest, rendered cautious, withdrew to a short distance.
Suddenly an idea struck Malchus.

He took off his belt and formed it into a running noose, and then waited until the wolves should summon up courage to attack again.

It was not long.

Furious with hunger, which the prey they had already devoured was only sufficient to whet, the wolves again approached and began to spring towards the bough.
Malchus dropped the noose over one of their necks, and with an effort, hauled it to the bough, and despatched it with his dagger.