The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-03-13

"oo Vu'y touSOu w HO uIuuCu VI q
tree having fallen so low across the asr
row road, that he could not drive under
It without danger.-l 10 hastily removing
II, the fur hood ofhis companion was
caught by a bough, thrown back, and
thus displayed the youthful complexion
and glossy hair of Mlnna ZabinskL
always plotting agains. me, MinnAl'
said the delighted youth; why might
l not have known who my companion
wasP
80 you should, had you only gained
the third prize, az l desired you,' repi-
ed she laughing; but you were too vain
Of your superior success for me 10 give
you further grounds Of vanity. But see,
Ermann, we have reached the foot Of
the hill; help me from the sledge and
we will walk up, in order 10 relieve the
poor tired horse; and SIanth! dear Slan,h
too, shall stretch his limbs beside tho
mistress who he had discernment en-
ough to know, was not her grand aunt =
The youthful lovers, arm.in-arm, as
Cended the long ACTIVITY slowly but
unmindful of the fight of time, which
seemed TO have been but moment and
yet whole existence. The cold moon
light threw their we'll defined shadows
on the snow as they re-entered the
sledge, with still two leagues of their
journey 10 perform Ermann having
assiduously enveloped Minna from the
piercing air on the height, prepared to
proceed homewards when he missed
Slanth from his customary position in
the sledge' He turned sharply 10 call
his tagging favorite, and perceived him
with brlstIing hair and cleaning eyes,
which indicated too surely the ap-
Proach Of an enemy, glaring down the
steep they had recently assembled. The
youthful lover anxiously followed the
gaze, aud in their late path, distinctly
shown by the clear moonlight, he saw
three large wolves, quickly tracking the
fresh footsteps.
Ermann felt that, with the precious
charge beside him, he must not risk an
encounter with such fearful odds. His
sole chance was 10 fight, although when
he thought Of the distance 10 the vii
lage, and saw the condition OF the horse,
his heart grew faint. However he stoop
ed eagerly for the excited Slan,b, LASH
ed the horse 10 his utmost speed, and
soon seemed to distance all pursuit.
Thus they continued to descend the
hill with great rspidity; but on reach
ing level ground, again the painting horse
showed symptoms of distress. Nina,
who did not comprehend Ermann's
strange proceeding, after vainIy remon-
slrating with HIM, had placed her hand
on the reins--when the wolves, having
reached the brow Of the hill, caught
sight Of the objects which they had
tracked, and their discor dant howl soon
enlightened the hspless girl as TO the
cause OF her lovers haste.
The famlshed animsls, scared from
their late haunte, redoubled their ardoI
Of pursuit on seeing the sledge; their
galloplhg fee, resouudcd closer and clio.
ser. Ermsnn felt that flight was on
longer security; he seized the rifle which
had done such good service in The NOR
nIpg, with the faint hope that if he should
despatch one savage, the others might
torego the pursuit in order to prey on
him. The rifle proved unloaded; and
then the dreadful recollection flashed on
Ermonn, that he had exhausted the
very last charge Of his ammunition in
the days's sport.
One OF the wolves had now reached
the sledge, which he passed. and evil
deutly meant TO spring on the horse.
This would expose The travellers to in
slant death; and the frantic Ernann,
seeing another monster gaining the side
where Minna sat, seized as his only
resource the faithful hound and cast him
forth TO encounter the terrible foes OF
whom in minute he must become the
victim .t
The sagacious horse, now trembling
ly aware Of the dangers which beset,
strained his painting frame for fresh ef-
without guidance from his mas
tor, who remained powerless, as though
overwhelmed by his own deed, in sac
n6cing the attached companion who
has SO often defended him. Minna
was also motiOnless, through fear and
horror.
The pursuit Ofthe wolves was check
ed; the weary horse once more relaxed
his speed; and Ermann uttered aloud
pious thanksgiving for their safety.
Short was the respi,e:-The recruited
savages soon renewed their chase with
redoubled vigOr, and again their gallo-
ping feet sounded close TO the sledge.
A shriek from Minna made The startled