Page 231 - A Jacobite Exile

were obliged to remain at some distance off, but the heat there was amply
sufficient for them. At last the trunk fell with a crash, and they at once

established themselves as near the fire as they could sit, without being
scorched, and there chatted until morning began to break.

They felt sure that some, at least, of the wolves were around them, as they
occasionally caught sight of what looked like two sparks among the

undergrowth; these being, as they knew, the reflection of the fire in the eyes
of a wolf. There was a tree hard by in which they could, if necessary, take

refuge, and they therefore resolved to stay near the fire.

Fortunately the night had been perfectly still, and, as the tree they had fired

was a detached one, the flames had not spread, as Charlie had at one time
been afraid they would do.

Half an hour after daylight had fairly broken, they discharged three shots at
regular intervals with their pistols, then they waited half an hour.

"Shall we fire again?"

"No. Not until we hear shots from them," Charlie replied. "We have but
four charges left, and if the wolves made a sudden rush, we might want to

use them."

After a time, both thought they heard the distant report of a musket.
Stanislas looked at Charlie inquiringly. The latter shook his head.

"No, no! Stanislas. That gun would be heard twice as far as one of these
pistols. Let us wait until we are pretty sure that they are near. I don't like

leaving ourselves without other protection than our axes."