Boris presented his side as the wolf dodged and stepped slightly aside. The animal's teeth nipped the Russian's clothes, but failed to reach the flesh. Before the beast could recover, Boris had seized him by the throat with both hands. A mighty grip, this, and the wolf struggled in vain, scratching and wriggling as it was lifted clear off the floor. Holding him at arm's length, Boris continued to shut off the beast's wind. The wolf gurgled once, twice and then became limp in Boris' hands. But Boris was wary. He had no mind to allow himself to be tricked, knowing well that a wolf, sometimes when cornered, resorted to all sorts of subterfuges. Boris held his grip for several minutes; then flung the wolf's body from him. "I guess that settles you," he said quietly. He approached the window to lend Jack a helping hand if necessary; but the enemy, having lost four of their number there, hung back. "I don't think they will try it again for a while," said Jack calmly. "You can't tell," returned Boris. "Sometimes they never give up. Now you keep guard here and I'll see if I can't start a fire. We would be safer then." Jack nodded and Boris turned away. A few moments later Jack heard him give a grunt of satisfaction. "Find anything?" the lad called. "Plenty to start a fire," was the response. "Wood, husks and matches. I'll have a fire going in this fireplace in a few moments. Then we shall be safe." The big Russian was as good as his word, and a few minutes later a cheerful blaze filled the fireplace. "Now," said the Russian, "I wonder if I couldn't scare up a little food?" He rummaged about in the drawers of a table at the far end of the room and presently returned to the fireplace carrying a piece of cold meat. "Don't know what it is, but it will do," was his comment. "I'm too hungry to be very particular." "So am I," Jack agreed. The Russian produced a long knife from one of the drawers and cut the piece of meat in two, handing half to Jack. They devoured it ravenously. "Not so bad," said Jack, smacking his lips when the last piece had disappeared down his throat. "Tastes funny, though. What do you suppose it was?" "Horse," was the brief reply. Jack gulped and swallowed several times before he could force himself to reply: "Wha--what's that?" "Horse," repeated Boris. "Didn't you ever eat horse before?" "N-n-no, I guess not," replied Jack, feeling somewhat sick at his stomach. "It's good," said Boris. "Next to a piece of beef, give me a good piece of horseflesh. Why," noting the queer expression on Jack's face, "you don't mean to tell me you don't like it?" "I can't say that I am fond of it," replied the lad truthfully. "But----" began Boris. Jack jumped to his feet. "Please don't talk about it any more," he said with a sickly smile. "If I have eaten a piece of horse, all right. But I don't want to be told about it."