The peasant, with a stroke of his knife, cut the rope which held the bait.
The coachman drove forward with increased speed for fifty yards or so, and then suddenly drew up the horses.

The peasants in an instant leaped out, each with a rug in his hand, and running to the horses' heads, at once blindfolded the animals by wrapping these around them.
Then the men jumped into the sledge again.
A hundred and fifty yards behind, their late pursuers, in a mass, were growling, snarling, and fighting over the meat, but already many, finding themselves unable to obtain a share, had set off in pursuit of the prize ahead, which promised to be ample for all.
To these, however, the peasants paid no attention, but each taking a double-barrel gun, poured heavy charges of shot in above the bullets.
Handing them to the boys, they performed the same operation to the other two guns, which they intended this time to use themselves.
Standing on the seat, the men prepared to fire at the wolves directly ahead, signing to the boys to lean over, one on each side, and take those on the flanks of the horses.

All this was done in a very few seconds, as the sledge glided steadily along towards the fast-approaching foes.

When these came within fifty yards, the horses were sent forward at full gallop.

In another second or two the four barrels of the woodmen poured their contents into the mass of wolves.
The boys waited until the horses were fairly among them, and then they fired.
A hideous chorus of yells arose, and the horses at full speed dashed in upon the pack.