with the knowledge that a new and armed enemy opposed them, they
were possibly already on their way for re-enforcements.

If this were so there could be but one hope--and that was an
immediate escape from the cabin. And between the cabin door and
the freedom of the forest were Bram's seven wolves!

A feeling of disgust, almost of anger, swept over him as he drew
Celie's little revolver from his pocket and held it in the palm of
his hand. There were four cartridges left. But what would they
avail against that horde of beasts! They would stop them no more
than so many pin-pricks. And what even would the club avail?
Against two or three he might put up a fight. But against seven--

He cursed Bram under his breath. It was curious that in that same
instant the thought flashed upon him that the wolf-man might not
have fallen a victim to the Eskimos. Was it not possible that the
spying Kogmollocks had seen him go away on the hunt, and had taken
advantage of the opportunity to attack the cabin? They had
evidently thought their task would be an easy one. What Philip saw
through the window set his pulse beating quickly with the belief
that this last conjecture was the true one. The world outside was
turning dark. The sky was growing thick and low. In half an hour a
storm would break. The Eskimos had foreseen that storm. They knew
that the trail taken in their flight, after they had possessed
themselves of the girl, would very soon be hidden from the eyes of
Bram and the keen scent of his wolves. So they had taken the
chance--the chance to make Celie their prisoner before Bram
returned.