Strike lustily for life, and hurry not your blows, but let each tell." This latter order he gave perceiving that some of the archers, terrified by this furious army of assailants with gaping mouths and glistening teeth, were striking wildly, and losing their presence of mind.
The combat, although it might have been prolonged, could yet have had but one termination, and the whole party would have fallen.

At this moment, however, a gust-of wind, more furious than any which they had before experienced, swept along the gorge, and the very wolves had to crouch on their stomachs to prevent themselves being hurled by its fury into the ravine below.

Then even above the storm a deep roar was heard.
It grew louder and louder.

The wolves, as if struck with terror, leaped to their feet, and scattered on either way along the path at full speed.
"What sound can this be ?" Cnut exclaimed in an awestruck voice.

"It sounds like thunder; but it is regular and unbroken; and, my lord, surely the earth quakes under our feet!" Louder and louder grew the roar.
"Throw yourselves down against the wall of rock," Cuthbert shouted, himself setting the example.
A moment afterwards, from above, a mighty mass of rock and snow poured over like a cascade, with a roar and sound which nigh stunned them.