He could see it only dimly, but sufficiently so to identify it as a wolf of unusually large size.

He suspected it was of the black species, one of those savage brutes to be dreaded tenfold more than the ordinary grey kind.
"I wonder whether he knows I haven't got a firearm about me?
Ah, old fellow, if I had my Winchester it wouldn't take me long to settle you." It was no jesting matter, and Jack kept close watch of him while threading his way to camp, as their headquarters were called.

Several times, when he turned quickly, he was startled to observe that the animal had stolen quite close to him, as if to leap upon his shoulders; but he showed his cowardly nature by darting back, only to return the moment the youth turned his face away.
The question with Jack was whether he should stop and kindle a fire, or wait until he reached the cavern.

He preferred to do the latter, but it looked unsafe to defer the precaution.

The distance, however, was short, and he hurried on until he clambered over to the plateau and was greeted by a whinny from his pony, Dick, who was quick to recognize him.