But the creatures in the tree stirred only a little, and made very few sounds.
They seemed to be safe and content, and the wolves raged back and forth, leaping and howling.
The old leader felt the dark thin and lighten, and the scent of the coming dawn became more oppressive to him.

A little needle of fear shot into his heart, and his muscles began to grow weak.

He saw afar in the east the first pale tinge, faint and gray, of the dreadful light that he feared and hated.

His howl now was one of mingled anger and disappointment, and the pack imitated the note of the king.
The black veil over the forest gave way to one of gray.

The dreadful bar of light in the east broadened and deepened, and became beaming, intense and brilliant.