The wolves were at his heels, snarling and snapping like angry dogs.

The boy regarded them from his safe perch and burst out laughing.
[Illustration: Tom Gray Escapes from the Wolves.] "So I fooled you, did I, you gray rascals ?" he said aloud.

"You think you'll keep me here all night, do you, old hounds?
Well, we'll see who wins out in the long run." Meanwhile, the wolves ran about howling disconsolately while Tom sat in the branches of the tree, rubbing his hands and arms to keep warm.

He had removed the snowshoes and was just contemplating climbing to the top of the tree to keep his blood circulating, when three figures appeared on the brow of the hill.
"As I live, it's the boys," he said to himself.

"Go back!" he yelled, waving a red silk muffler.