Taking a quick aim, he fired.
The shot proved a good one, for it took the wolf directly in the neck, just as he was scrambling to rise.

Again he gave a yelp, and then began to turn over and over in his intense pain.

Of a sudden he leaped up and landed on Tom's shoulder.
For the instant poor Tom thought his last moment had come.

But as the beast landed Sam struck it with his gun, and down it went once more, snarling viciously.

Then it rolled and tossed until some brush was gained, when it managed to hide itself and crawl away, seriously, if not mortally, wounded.
"He's gone!" came from Sam.
"Well, don't go after him," panted Tom.