Ten minutes went by. To me it seemed a perfect age. Suddenly the crackling of some dead leaves broke upon my ear. Was some one approaching? I listened intently. The sound came nearer; and far behind it I heard another sound, as of the footsteps of a man. Wondering what it could mean, I stretched my neck and peered towards the spot. The next instant I gave a cry of horror. Two shining eyes glared at me through an opening, and I heard the low growl of some wild animal. Words cannot express my feelings at this moment. My very heart seemed to stop beating. I tried to cry out, but found I could not make a sound. At the edge of the opening the animal paused, as if to take in the situation. Then it moved to a point somewhere behind me. What was it? A fox, a wolf, or some larger animal? The very thought of its presence gave me a thrill of horror. For one moment all was silent. I saw or heard nothing of the animal. Had it left the neighborhood? Oh, how I prayed that this might be so! Then I heard the noise again, off to the right. At first it was faint, as if going from me; but then it became louder, and I knew that the animal was approaching once more. How I wished that I was free and that I had my gun! But I was helpless, and must take whatever came. A moment dragged by slowly. My nerves were strung to the highest tension. I strained my eyes, but could see nothing. Suddenly I caught sight of the eyes again. To me they seemed like twin stars, and my hair fairly stood on end as I beheld them. Then came a growl, low at first, and then louder. It was the unmistakable mutterings of a wolf! I knew that Rock Island was infested by that species of wild animal. Some years before my father and I had killed three of the beasts on the south shore during the winter. I tugged at the rope that bound me with might and main. Soon my right wrist was so chafed that it began to bleed. I was afraid the scent of blood would attract the wolf’s attention, and in this I was not mistaken; for presently he stopped growling and took a deep breath. But my tuggings at the rope were not without result; for presently I managed to squeeze my left hand through the tight opening. It hurt to do so, but in the excitement of the moment this was not noticed. My left hand free, I tried with all my power to make my right hand follow. Meanwhile the wolf, scenting the blood, stopped growling, and broke into a short bark, not unlike that of a terrified dog. This struck straight to my heart, for I knew that he was now getting ready to attack me. My right wrist was so lacerated by the rough rope that I found it impossible to withdraw it. In trying to do so I merely made the blood flow more freely, and this soon reached the wolf’s nose and made him more savage than ever.