Two Brave Boys by Mary E. Ropes

"SO, then," continued Stepan, "having driven this way before on / business for the factory, I remembered thy father's hut, Sonia, and / thought I would call here, on the chance of finding thee, and also to / ask if thou knowest anything of the two little gentlemen who started / from a hut ten miles or more from here on the homeward journey. I am / terribly anxious about them, for on the way here to-day I came upon / the remains of a man who had been devoured by wolves. Fresh snow had / fallen, so that very little remained uncovered, but it made me feel / doubly uneasy. I did not know that wolves came here to these parts / in any numbers; but it must be the early and severe winter that has / brought them."

"Since thou art so anxious, brother, come and look here," said Sonia, / and she pointed to the farthest corner of the room, where, on a bed of / straw, lay Sharik the pony, and Alf and Bert with their heads pillowed / on his back-all fast asleep.