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he shouted as Thurgood and DeSoto exploded from the tunnel entrance, bellowing war cries.
    "Aaaiiieeee!" screamed small voices as the two tiny figures leapt into the fray, even as Benjamin savagely threw off the wolfs paw and tore free of the dirt shelf.
    Thurgood and DeSoto separated and dashed frantically down both sides of the monster, but the flashing fangs followed, easily catching Thurgood by a rear leg. The little hare cried out as the jaws snapped shut. And DeSoto, electrified at his friend's cry, spun in stride and sank tiny teeth into a brutish black leg.
    Thurgood cried out again, and DeSoto was hurled backwards from a savage kick to smash stunningly against the tunnel side. Time seemed to stand still as Benjamin launched himself toward the hideous head, bellowing his battle cry, and Windgate crouched, bracing himself for a single, daring move that would save or doom them all.
    Benjamin collided against the dark head and slashed above a glaring red eye with his claws. The wolf winced at the blow, released Thurgood, and raised itself onto its hind legs. A lean foreleg slashed through the air, striking Benjamin in the shoulder. And then Windgate moved, with a powerful bound and his forelegs extended for a deadly embrace of the monstrous head.
    "Get Thurgood!" Windgate cried as he collided with the wolf's head, sinking teeth deeply into its brow and digging claws high into the face, far from the tearing jaws.
    Instantly the dark wolf reacted, roaring, insanely clawing at the burly hare and shaking its head frantically to dislodge its foe. Only Windgate's colossal strength kept him above the snapping jaws as the creature raked deep furrows down his back. The big hare desperately dug deeper into the hideous brow, determined to hold the beast long enough for Benjamin to rescue the children.
    Benjamin crashed against the ground, stunned and dazed. He was in no pain at all, so great was his wound. His shoulder was slashed open to the bone, and his feet were sluggish to respond. But he had suffered many deadly wounds in his long life, and he knew from experience that he could still move. His indomitable will strengthened his body, forcing it to respond. Clumsily, he rose and staggered to Thurgood, who was quiet. Benjamin saw in a glance that he was still alive; he had suffered a mangling wound, but would heal in time. Forcing his legs to respond, he dragged the still form into the burrow.
    "Hurry!" Benjamin shouted to DeSoto, who followed behind, pushing on Thurgood.
    Together they tumbled down the tunnel, and Benjamin cast a last wild look over his shoulder to see the horrific black shape raised against the night sky, savagely shaking its head and snapping fiendishly at the strong legs that raked its face.
    Windgate knew he could not hold on much longer. A frantic glance told him that the others had found shelter, and he knew that by now Saul would have reached the forest.
    Then, in a last desperate effort to dislodge its attacker, the wolf lowered its head and slammed him into the dirt wall. Windgate bellowed in pain and almost lost his narrow hold. His claws dug deeper into the bloody wounds, and he fiercely bit again into the hairy forehead.
    The wolf howled and shook its head.
    Saul reached the forest edge to see the dark wolf shaking and snarling maniacally. And as its massive head passed over the tunnel entrance he saw Windgate's burly form fall from the dark shoulders, descending to a place directly in front of the tunnel entrance. Almost before the monster realized that his punishing foe had dropped, Windgate had landed. And in a flash the hare scrambled back, disappearing down the entrance.
    Saul only dimly noticed the warm blood seeping from his wounds. It no longer mattered, he thought, as he gazed down in the moonlight at the spreading black stain. He knew his time had come.
    "Soon it will be over," he said weakly.
    Rising onto his hind legs, he faced the glade that he had once called home.
    "Turn and face me,