The sledge was attacked; the horses, mad with fear, broke their traces and rushed off, or perhaps the driver, seeing at the last moment that escape was impossible, slashed the ropes with his knife, so as to give the horses a chance.

I expect they got a start, for the wolves would be detained a little at the sledge." "Do you think the poor beasts will get safe out of the forest, Stanislas ?" "I don't think so, but they may.

The chase has evidently been a long one, and the wolves have tired themselves with their first efforts to come up to them.

It did not seem to me that they were gaining when they passed us.

It is simply a question of endurance, but I fancy the wolves will last longest.
"See, here is a party of stragglers.