In the large pile already blazing, there was no lack of kindling stuff; and in a few minutes a complete circle of fires, almost touching one another, burnt upon the ground.
The boys had lost no time, working as if for their lives.

It was well they did so; for the voice of the cougar, that they had heard at intervals, each time growing louder, now echoed through the aisles of the forest, drowning all other sounds.

Strange to say, the howling of the wolves suddenly ceased, and these creatures were no longer to be heard.

But there were other sounds audible--the stamping and snorting of the terrified horses.

The young hunters, up to this time, had not thought of the safety of these poor animals.