What sort of animals they might be was a thing about which they were all three ignorant; and this uncertainty very naturally filled them with dread.

They might be _bears, wolverines, or panthers_.
The boys talked in whispers, looking to the locks of their pieces, and preparing themselves for the worst.

They were, of course, already seen by the animals, sitting as they did in the light of the fire.

Marengo stood by, looking into the darkness, and at intervals uttering the growl with which he was accustomed to hail the presence of an enemy.
The shining eyes appeared to multiply.

All at once a dog was heard to utter three distinct barks.