He started as if a pin had been thrust into him; and the cry which he uttered awoke also his companions.

Was it a snake that had touched him?
Francois thought so at the moment, and continued to think so while he was rubbing his eyes open.

When this feat was accomplished, however, he caught a glimpse of some object running off, that could not be a snake.
"What do you think it was ?" inquired Basil and Lucien, in the same breath.
"A wolf, I think," replied Francois.

"It was his cold nose I felt.
See! yonder it goes.

See--see--there are two of them!" Francois pointed in the direction in which the two animals were seen to run.