The horses had started out toward home at a brisk
trot, but they gradually slowed down to a walk, and once or twice I had
to stop them altogether to let them gather fresh strength.
"What with the slow going and the stops, dusk overtook us while we were
still some eight or ten miles from the camp. It couldn't have been later
than four o'clock, but the short winter's day was even at that time
drawing to a close, and the falling snow made it darker still.
"But no thought of danger entered my head, and I merely swore a little
at the prospect of a late supper, for I was cold and hungry. Suddenly,
however, the danger of my position was brought home to me in a very
sudden manner. Away in the distance I heard the long drawn wolf-howl,
than which I firmly believe there is no more blood-curdling sound in
existence. The horses pricked up their ears nervously and hastened their
lagging pace, and I myself felt a thrill go up my spine. It was not many
seconds before the first howl was answered by a second, and then a third.
"'A little faster, my beauties,' I said to the horses, 'we're not so far
from home now, and it's up to us to get there pretty pronto.
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