There were only five left.
He counted the dogs.

There were more than fifteen, as far as he could reckon; and if he reduced them to ten, he could not hope to withstand the final rush of ten big-jawed and active animals.

Even if he could keep them off in that open space, he could not stay there another day; and if they tackled him in the reeds, he would have no chance.

He began to rack his brain for a scheme; but while he thought, the circle closed in until quite plainly he could distinguish the staring eyes all centered upon him.

He piled on more fuel, and as the flames sprang up they fell back.