The snarling of his dogs was losing its efficacy.

Besides, they were snarling all the time, and his benumbed and drowsy senses no longer took note of changing pitch and intensity.

He awoke with a start.

The she-wolf was less than a yard from him.
Mechanically, at short range, without letting go of it, he thrust a brand full into her open and snarling mouth.

She sprang away, yelling with pain, and while he took delight in the smell of burning flesh and hair, he watched her shaking her head and growling wrathfully a score of feet away.
But this time, before he dozed again, he tied a burning pine-knot to his right hand.