At last the trunk fell with a crash, and they at once established themselves as near the fire as they could sit, without being scorched, and there chatted until morning began to break.
They felt sure that some, at least, of the wolves were around them, as they occasionally caught sight of what looked like two sparks among the undergrowth; these being, as they knew, the reflection of the fire in the eyes of a wolf.

There was a tree hard by in which they could, if necessary, take refuge, and they therefore resolved to stay near the fire.
Fortunately the night had been perfectly still, and, as the tree they had fired was a detached one, the flames had not spread, as Charlie had at one time been afraid they would do.
Half an hour after daylight had fairly broken, they discharged three shots at regular intervals with their pistols, then they waited half an hour.
"Shall we fire again ?" "No.

Not until we hear shots from them," Charlie replied.

"We have but four charges left, and if the wolves made a sudden rush, we might want to use them." After a time, both thought they heard the distant report of a musket.

Stanislas looked at Charlie inquiringly.