When the fire burned and crackled they kept well in the background.

The hunters had a long respite from serious anxiety, during which time they collected all the available wood at hand.

But at midnight, when this had been mostly consumed, the wolves grew bold again.
"Have you any shots left for the 45-90, besides what's in the magazine ?" asked Rea.
"Yes, a good handful." "Well, get busy." With careful aim Jones emptied the magazine into the gray, gliding, groping mass.

The same rustling, shuffling, almost silent strife ensued.
"Rea, there's something uncanny about those brutes.

A silent pack of wolves!" "Ho! Ho!" rolled the giant's answer through the woods.
For the present the attack appeared to have been effectually checked.
The hunters, sparingly adding a little of their fast diminishing pile of fuel to the fire, decided to lie down for much needed rest, but not for sleep.