By-and-by, however, I was curious to know how time was passing. I struck a match, and by its flame looked at my watch. It was a few minutes to midnight. This gave me a sort of shock, since the superstition about midnight being an evil time was made stronger for me by my recent experiences. I waited, feeling sick with not knowing what would happen next. Then a dog began to howl somewhere far down the road, a long, agonized sound, as if it was very scared. Another dog started to make the same noise, and then another and another. Then the wind which blew softly through the Pass began to also carry the wild howling of wolves. This seemed to come from all over the country, or so I seemed to imagine through the darkness of the night.

The driver was forced to leave his seat and stand by the horses, which had become considerably excited. He petted and soothed them, and whispered something in their ears. I have heard of horse-tamers doing this, and it was very effective. Under his hands the horses became quite manageable again, though they still trembled. The driver again took his seat, and taking up the reins, started off again very quickly. This time he went to the far side of the Pass, then suddenly turned right down a narrow roadway. Soon trees arched right over the roadway until it was as though we were driving through a tunnel. The baying of wolves sounded nearer and nearer, as though they were getting closer to us from every side.

Vocabulary:

By-and-by: After some time
Curious: Wanting to know
Howl: Saying 'Ooooowwwrrrhh'
Agonized: In great pain
Pet: To stroke and pat in a friendly way
Soothe: To make calm
Tremble: To shake because of cold or fear
Arch: Two things bending over so that they meet at the top
Baying: A mix between a bark and a howl