Now and then he heard a faint pad among the bushes, and he knew that a wolf had made it.

He merely changed from the outside to the inside of the fire ring, and continued his walk.

With the fire about him and his friends so near he was not afraid of wolves, no matter how big and numerous they might be.
Yet their presence in the bushes, the light shuffle of their feet and their fiery eyes had an uncanny effect.

It was unpleasant to know that such fierce beasts were so near, and he gave himself a reassuring glance at the sleeping forms of his partners.

By and by the red eyes melted away, and he heard another soft tread, but heavier than that of the wolves.