Then, with a sudden shout, the Indian leaped to his feet and dashed fearlessly toward them.

This unexpected move, as he had intended, stopped the foremost wolves in a huddled group for an instant, and in this opportune moment Wabi leveled his gun and fired.

A long howl of pain testified to the effect of the shot.

Hardly had it begun when Wabi fired again, this time with such deadly precision that one of the wolves, springing high into the air, tumbled back lifeless among the pack without so much as making a sound.
Running to the prostrate Roderick, Wabi drew him quickly upon his back, clutched his rifle in the grip of his arm, and started again for the tamaracks.

Only once did he look back, and then he saw the wolves gathering in a snarling, fighting crowd about their slaughtered comrades.