The wolves, baffled by the sudden disappearance of their quarry, were ranged a little distance from the porch door, save two or three of the bolder ones, which were sniffing at the door itself.
The dogs were nowhere to be seen.
"Look out!" called Bobby to Skipper Ed, who was about to open the porch door.

"Some of them are right at the door!" Then he and Jimmy began shooting.

The wolves at the door fell, and Skipper Ed, opening the door a little way, joined in a fusillade at the main pack.

The rapid reports of the rifles at close range, together with the flashes of fire from an unseen source, struck panic to the heart of the pack.

A slightly wounded one turned and ran.