"Oh, hurry!" Tom and David were carrying Anne now, while Jessica was half staggering, assisted by Nora and Reddy.

Hippy, the perspiration pouring from his face, brought up the rear, and they had scarcely pulled him in and barred the door before the wolves had reached the hut and were leaping against the walls howling and snarling.
Nobody spoke for some time.

Those who were not too tired were busy thinking.
What was to be done?
Eight young people, on a bitter cold winter afternoon, shut up in a hut in the middle of a forest while five half-starved wolves besieged the door.
Presently Tom Gray began to look about him.
There was a fireplace in the hut, which, by great good luck, contained the remains of a large backlog.

More fuel was stacked in the corner, chiefly brushwood and sticks.

He made a fire at once and the others gathered around the blaze, for they felt the penetrating chill now, after their rapid and exhausting flight through the forest.
"Here's a rifle," exclaimed Grace, who was also exploring, while Tom kindled the fire.
"Good!" cried Tom.