(Continuing from Part 56)
The howling of the wolves followed us through the snowy forest.
Our horses were frightened, and the men in our company looked anxiously toward the trees.
I had faced many dangers in my life, but I had never seen wolves gather in such numbers.
Our guide urged us to remain together.
He warned that the animals were hungry and might attack anything they believed they could overcome.
We continued along the narrow road.
The light was fading, and the cold grew more severe.
Suddenly, we heard a terrible noise ahead.
It sounded like an animal crying out in pain.
Our guide stopped.
He believed that wolves had attacked a horse or some other creature.
We moved forward cautiously.
A little farther along, we discovered the body of a horse lying near the road.
Several wolves were gathered around it.
They were tearing at the animal with great hunger.
The sight frightened our horses.
Some tried to turn back.
The riders struggled to keep them under control.
I realized that we could not safely pass while the wolves remained there.
I called to the men to prepare their guns.
Then we fired together.
Several wolves fell.
The others scattered into the trees.
For a moment, the road seemed clear.
But the noise of the guns and the smell of blood appeared to attract more animals.
We heard howling from every direction.
The forest seemed alive with wolves.
Our guide became deeply alarmed.
He told us that we must reach the next village before night.
Otherwise, we might be surrounded.
We moved forward as quickly as possible.
But the snow made traveling difficult.
The horses were tired, and the road was uneven.
Soon we reached a place where the path passed between thick woods.
The trees stood close together on both sides.
I did not like the appearance of the place.
It seemed an excellent position for the wolves to attack us.
I advised the travelers to remain close and keep their weapons ready.
Friday rode beside me.
He had shown great courage during our earlier dangers, and I knew that I could depend upon him.
He watched the trees carefully.
Suddenly, a wolf sprang from the woods toward one of the horses.
The animal was so frightened that it nearly threw its rider.
Friday raised his gun and fired.
The wolf fell.
But almost immediately, several others appeared.
They rushed toward us from different directions.
The horses began moving wildly.
Some riders shouted.
Others fired their weapons.
For a few moments, there was great confusion.
I knew that if we scattered, the wolves would attack us separately.
I shouted for everyone to stay together.
We formed a close group and continued moving.
The wolves followed.
They were no longer frightened by the sound of our guns.
Their hunger seemed stronger than their fear.
I looked ahead and saw a small clearing.
I thought that we might defend ourselves more easily there.
We hurried toward it.
But when we reached the open ground, we discovered that a large number of wolves had gathered nearby.
There were far more than I had expected.
Some stood watching us.
Others moved restlessly through the snow.
Their eyes shone in the fading light.
I understood that we were facing a serious struggle.
I ordered the men to stop and prepare their weapons.
We had to prevent the animals from reaching our horses.
The travelers formed a line.
Those with guns aimed toward the nearest wolves.
I told them not to waste their shots.
We needed to fire carefully and reload quickly.
The wolves began approaching.
At first, they moved slowly.
Then several rushed forward.
I gave the order.
We fired together.
The noise was tremendous.
Several animals fell.
Others retreated for a moment.
But soon they began gathering again.
I realized that ordinary gunfire might not be enough to frighten them away.
The animals were too hungry and too numerous.
I remembered that wild creatures often feared fire.
I suggested that we use burning powder to make a greater noise and flash.
We prepared our weapons and fired another strong volley.
The wolves drew back.
But they did not leave.
They continued howling and moving around us.
Our horses were trembling.
Some were almost impossible to control.
I feared that one might break away and cause the whole company to scatter.
I told the men to keep the animals close together.
We also used our pistols and other weapons against wolves that approached too near.
The struggle continued.
The snow around us became marked with blood.
Several dead wolves lay near the road.
Yet more appeared from the forest.
I had never imagined that so many could gather in one place.
At last, I decided that we must do something more dramatic.
I instructed the men to prepare a strong discharge of gunpowder.
We arranged it so that the explosion would frighten the animals without harming our company.
When everything was ready, we set it off.
A loud blast shook the air.
The flash lit the surrounding trees.
The wolves were terrified.
They turned and fled in different directions.
Their howling changed to frightened cries.
For the first time, I believed that we might escape.
I immediately ordered the company to move.
We did not wait to see whether the wolves would return.
We hurried along the road, keeping close together.
The horses seemed eager to leave the terrible place.
Although they were tired, they moved more quickly than before.
We continued through the darkening forest.
Every sound made us nervous.
I kept looking behind us.
But the wolves did not immediately follow.
At last, we reached a place where the trees became thinner.
Our guide told us that a village was not far away.
The news encouraged everyone.
We pressed onward.
Soon we saw lights in the distance.
They came from houses near the road.
I felt enormous relief.
We had reached safety.
When we entered the village, the people were astonished by our appearance.
Our horses were exhausted, and our clothes were covered with snow.
We told them about the wolves.
They listened with concern.
They explained that the winter had been unusually severe.
The animals had become desperate for food.
We were fortunate to have escaped.
That night, I rested in a warm room.
Friday was safe, and our company had survived.
I thought about the strange events of my life.
I had escaped the sea, lived alone on an island, recovered my fortune, and now survived an attack by wolves in the mountains.
I wondered whether I would ever enjoy a peaceful journey.
But I was grateful that we had reached shelter.
The next morning, we prepared to continue toward France.
England was now much closer.
I hoped that the remaining journey would be quiet.
Yet I knew that life had often surprised me when I least expected it.