"Both can skate fast enough to leave the wolves behind; they would have done so at once if they had not been bothered by having me with them.

Now they ought to be able to take care of themselves." She sat down on the bank and removed her skates.

The slight layer of snow on the leaves caused no inconvenience, for she was well shod, and the walk was not far.

Her fear was that some of the wolves might sneak up unseen.

Often she stopped and listened, but when half the distance was passed, without any alarm from that source, she believed nothing was to be feared.