The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-31
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down the sides of the rugged path.
way, which little above where
they stood, opened upon vast spaces
of the softest and closest veTdue.
The pastures Of the Abruszi are
among the most famous Of the
world, and their focks of sheep are
almost innumerable. The chief enc.
my they have to apprehend, as the
reader gathers,is from the vast droves
Of wolves that infest the forests, and
prowl among the hocks where they
can, and thus constant war is carri-
ed on between them and the shep-
herds in charge z; and sometimes the
dangers to be encountered from ami.
mails have half.maddened by rage
and hunger, arc Of the most appall-
ing kind.
Once more the cry came, lower
and suppressed, but still peculiar and
prolonged. 1t was like a signal.
'Pietro, my brother, do you know
that sound?' asked Rondinetto, sif we
did not by this time learn the howl
of a wolf, or the watch, too, we
should not make either shepherds or
hunters
'And you will be a hunter?' pur.
sued Pietro.
Just you sec,' answered Rondi-
nctto, entering the hut and returning
with the rifle in his hand, which,
though somewhat large andsheavy,
he still seemed to master with ease.
'Now, if Black.muzzle--one, two
or three of them, were to show them.
selves in the ravine there i should
not care one jor for them as long as
/ could speak to them witithis,
And this is the hunters spirit
said Pictro. SWELL, in that caselgiye
me the hatchet; and Lion! Rest =
Look out good dog!-look ss,' "a ~ lts} I
is certain father was not Wr0 =
conecturcs.' 5py;S i; &
The dogs in the mcantihit ss5 s
manned almost iinmovabli} II. 81 81 z
stasaesq ue. position the cry oIiJolyes ess
for such it was, lad surprised Shem.f
With haunches thrown back, nostrils
debated, ears erlct. one fore paw
suspended. and the bushy tail slowly
sweeping fbS, gt!oaud, both were lis
tening for d recurrence of the on,in,
Gus sound that warned them of dan
ger that would have paled the cheeks
of brave men.
The wolves will force this passage,
Pietro, said Rondinetto; 'and we had
better keep as near to the hut as pos
sible; for there will not be dozen
or twenty, but they will come i'll
scores, perhaps. Hark"
Again the cry arose, and now it
was joined in by several others. =
Twilight that fingered still in that
lofty region, made the craggy path.
way clear and open, and they saw
several dark objects issue from
among thickly growing pine trees,
and crawl s.calthily, till the animated
mass rendered it impossible to be
numbered.
BY the heavy door Of the hut
stood pole, around which a conbus-
tible material Of tow and pitch was
wound, which, on being ignited,
would communicate itself 70 the tow
eriny shaft Of pine placed there for
the purpose.
"Within, Pietro, withinn shouted
Rondinctto. 1.-The dogs and / can
keep the first body at bay. I must
have a shot, and one or two down,
they will stay to secure comrades,
while the sound Of the rifle will help
to carry the alarm. Quick, they are
colniug-get fire-get light and
look to your hatchct. Now, my no.
Ole Lion! my brave Death. look to it
my brave dogs, and may your in,
stinct guide you!'
Heavens, what number said
Pietro, as he cast a glance below,
before entering the hut to procure
the fire; and Rondinetto, with pale
face, with calm finn lips, knelt down,
his weapon in his hand to strike
down the first conner.
Light up, Pictro,' he said, 'and
pass me the powder and bullets
The next moment wild and hor.
riblc yell was sounded through the
forest, and reverberateG in tho hol
low of the rocks. The sky was now
darkly blue, and the livid flame crept
rapidly up the signal pole, and q
rushing avalanche Of living, raven
Gus wolves were forcing tho pass.
AT that moment, while frightfu'
yell arose from the whole troop--a
yell that made the blood chill in the
veins-while the noble dogs were
preparing for the fight ht-while the
blazing pine stem hungits lurid in
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