The cords that bound him to the tree were round his body in such wise that he could by no means fall on his side and so work himself free from the stake, and round his mouth was a ragged cloth tied, but not closely enough to prevent him from calling out as I heard him.

I think that he must have gnawed it from closer binding than I saw now.

Across the snow behind him the paws of some daring wolf had left marks as if the beast had sniffed at his very back not so long since, and surely but for the chance of my coming that way nought but his bones had been left in that place by the pack before morning came again.
It was a strange cry that this man gave when he saw me, for in no way could I take it for a cry of joy for rescue.

I could rather think that he had raised the same when the wolf came near him.

And when I dismounted and led my horse after me toward him he seemed to try to shrink from me, as if I also meant him harm.