"If we do the catamount will likely climb after us," replied Jerry.

"Keep cool, fellows. A wolf is a born coward, and hates powder. We'll give the pack a good dose of lead if they molest us. Have your rifles ready."

The boys hurriedly built up the fire with great logs. Then, after a short discussion, they retreated to the cabin.

"This is the safest place," said Hamp, as he barricaded the entrance with one of the sleds. "Tear a hole in that lower wall, Jerry. About as big as your head."

As soon as the opening was made the boys crowded before it. It faced the direction from which the wolves seemed to be approaching, and commanded a view of the buck's dangling carca.s.s.

Closer on the frosty air rang the dismal howling of the wolves. They could be heard scurrying through the undergrowth. The boys waited, nervously fingering their rifles.

Suddenly a great, tawny beast sprang into full view from behind a rock.

It was the hungry catamount. With a bound it fastened teeth and claws in the haunch of venison. It pulled it to the ground, and then dragged it lightly to the top of the bluff.

CHAPTER VI.

BESIEGED BY WOLVES.

This daring theft was so quickly done and over that the boys had no chance to shoot. The venison could be plainly seen, but only the catamount's ears and tail were visible as he crouched behind it.

"The impudent brute," cried Brick. "That beats everything. We don't want to lose the meat. Shall I try a shot?"

"Better let me," replied Jerry. "I think I see a chance. Keep back a little."

The boys moved aside, and Jerry poked his rifle through the hole. The hammer clicked. Then there was an anxious pause of half a minute.

"What's wrong?" whispered Hamp.

"Can't get a shot," was the reply. "The brute has dropped lower, and won't stir. Wait a bit," Jerry added, as he withdrew the weapon. "You fellows are going to see the liveliest sight of your lives. Here come the wolves, and the catamount is growling like fury. He doesn't intend to let himself be robbed of that venison."

The boys all gathered before the hole, eager to witness the coming struggle. They were too excited to bother much about their own peril.

Now the hungry pack scented the savory meat. The long howls changed to quick, shrill yelps. They were very close.

All at once the flames danced up around the logs. The red glare flashed to the top of the bluff. The catamount had shifted his position, and the boys saw him plainly. His great jaws were open, and his tail lashed the brush angrily.

"What a chance!" whispered Jerry. "I could put a ball right through him."

"Don't spoil the fun," pleaded Brick. "The wolves will make an end of the brute."

"Don't be too sure of that," muttered Hamp.

However, Jerry had no intention of interfering. The opportunity of ridding the boys of a relentless enemy was imprudently allowed to slip by.

An instant later the scene changed. Out from the--forest broke two shadowy gray forms, gaunt and ravenous with hunger. They darted at the venison, snarling defiance. There was a lightning-like bound, and a screech of fury.

For a few seconds the three animals were a shapeless, whirling tangle.

Then the catamount tumbled out of the heap, and sprang back to the carca.s.s. One wolf lay dead and mangled on the snow. The other limped into the forest with dismal wails.

But the balance of the pack were close by. Out they leaped in twos and threes, reckless of the firelight. White teeth gleamed and snapped in every crevice of the timber.

The catamount screeched, and quivered for a second attack. Then it altered its purpose. It seized the haunch of venison, and attempted to make off with it.

The wolves took this move for cowardice, and were emboldened. With a chorus of howls they closed in. The struggle that ensued was simply terrific. The catamount seemed to be everywhere at once. Its long, lithe body performed countless revolutions.

"Hurrah!" cried Brick, in great excitement. "This beats the old Roman shows. Do you think the catamount will be killed?"

"Not likely," replied Jerry, "but he'll lose the meat. There are too many against him."

"That's so," exclaimed Hamp. "Look, fellows, look!"

Just then the catamount leaped clear over his circle of tormentors. With a screech of baffled fury he bounded into the bushy limbs of a tall pine tree. He made his way into an adjoining tree, and then vanished.

Three wolves lay struggling in their death agonies on the snow. Here and there limped crippled ones. The rest of the pack sprang at the venison with teeth and claws.

They muttered and yowled as they bit off great mouthfuls. New arrivals came swarming from the forest. Soon more than a score of the gaunt brutes were a.s.sembled around the carca.s.s.

The bones of the deer were soon polished cleanly. Then the famished creatures attacked the bodies of their comrades. Tiring of this cannibalistic meal, they swerved to the edge of the glade, sniffed the air for a moment, and came leaping down the bank of the ravine. The patter of their feet was instantly all around the cabin. They brushed against the sides, and scratched at the interstices of the beams, howling and yelping like a troop of demons.

So sudden was the attack that the besieged lads were taken by complete surprise.

"We'll be torn to pieces," cried Brick. "They'll be through the door in a minute."

"No they won't," yelled. Jerry.

He hurled himself against the sled, which had actually begun to move.

"Keep cool, boys," he added. "It's our only chance. Fire away, and make every shot tell."

Then he poked his rifle under the doorway, and pulled the trigger. The report was followed by a yelp of agony. The wolves fell back a little.

They had a wholesome fear of firearms.

Jerry reloaded his rifle, and jammed sh.e.l.ls into his double-barreled shotgun.

"I'll guard this end," he yelled, hoa.r.s.ely. "You fellows must take care of that."

"It's an ugly outlook," replied Hamp. "Here are your two guns, Brick.

Keep them loaded. We've got four between us--six with Jerry's. But where's the ammunition?"

"Here," and Brick tapped the cartridge belt that was strapped about his waist. "Help yourself, Hamp. Do you think we can pull through?"

There was no chance for reply. Jerry sounded a note of warning as the wolves came leaping at the cabin again.

A gaunt head suddenly shot through the aperture, and a pair of frothy jaws closed with a snap on the sleeve of Hamp's jacket. Brick instantly reversed his rifle, and hit the brute a stunnning blow. The head vanished, and Hamp nervously examined his arm.

"Not a scratch," he muttered. "You hit him just in time, Brick. Now I'll pay the brute for his daring."