They're coming down this way, and they'll come out in that open just ahead of us.

Don't shoot till I tell you, but be ready for them, lads." "How many are there ?" Bobby whispered excitedly.
"I can't tell yet.

But I saw them move, and there's more than one," answered Skipper Ed.
A moment later the blood-curdling howl of a wolf broke the forest stillness.

It was answered by the distant howl of the dogs, and then near at hand the night was startled by the defiant howl of many wolves, long, loud and terrible in unexpected suddenness, and so close that the boys involuntarily rose from their crouch.
"A pack!" whispered Skipper Ed, "and a big pack! See them coming there! Too many for us to tackle, lads! Keep quiet, now, lads, and don't lose your heads and don't shoot! We must keep to leeward of them so they won't get our scent, and we must get back to the cabin.

They're too many for us to tackle." As he spoke the leaders of the pack--great, fearsome creatures looming big on the glistening white of the moonlit snow--straggled leisurely around the bend of the frozen stream--one--two--three--Skipper Ed counted until more than twenty had appeared, and still others were coming.