The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-10-06

At that moE.ent q dark shadow glided
up by the side Of our sleigh, and SO wild
and devilish yell I have never heard
since. My flesh crawled on my bones. A
cold shiver ran to my heart and crept over
my head as though the hairs were stand
ing on end. Two orbs glared out like de-
mon lights, and could hear the painting
of the eager beast. ~
Finally graspipg the lines and shouting
sharply to the horse we shot away. The
horse needed no urging. At the act, that
internal chorus again burst out in earnest
and their dark forms leaped in heightened
strides on either side of US. The speed
was fearful, and yet the yelling devils kept
pace. Turning to speak 10 Garry, | saw
a dark form leap into the path, and as we
sped ahead his teeth shut with vice like
snap, missing Garry, and stripping her
swawl from her shoulders. With Shrek
she clung to me, and with my arm saved
her from being dragged out Of her seat.
Ibecams maddened-reckless. Ishout-
ed to the horse now reeking with FOAM
We went on at fearful rate. The stumps
and trees and even places in the road
threatened every instant to wreck our
sleigh.
Home was three miles distant. O, for
a world to give for home!
As the road struck the river bank, it
turned shortly almost on the brink Of a
fearful precipce. Here was a new dan.
ger. II was difficult place, and there
was not only danger Of upsetting, but of
being hurled into the river.
There was a path across this angle Of
land where logs had been drawn out. 1t
was mile nearer this way to the clearing
than by the river. But burst not attempt
it with sleigh.
On we sped. That internal pack, neck
and neck with us, and every now and then
their jaws shutting like steel traps close to
our persons. Once around that angle and
| hoped.
How madly shouted to the noble brute.
We neared the turn in that race for life.
Heavens! the Internal devils had cross.
ed ahead and hung in dark masses. A
demon instinct seemed to possess them.
few rods more! The wolves seemed
to feel that we had chance, for they howl.
ed more devilsh than ever.
With sweep, the horse turned in spite
Of me. The left runner struck high on the
roots OF pine, and the sleigh swung over
like flash, burying us in the new snow.
Away sped the horse, and my heart sunk
as heard his quick footsteps dying out
towards home.
The maddened pack had followed the
horse, and shot by US as we were thown
out upon the bank, for number of rods.
A shrek from Garry arrested them in their
career; in an instant they were upon us.
| gave one long, desperate shout, in the
hope of arousing the folks in the cabins.
| had no time to shout again. Their hot
breath burned upon me. and their dark
masses gathered around like the shadows
of doom. With a broken limb, wildly
kept them at bay for moment, but fiercer
and closer surged their gnashing teeth
Garry lay insensible on the ground before
me. There was one more chance. A
stunted pine grew upon the outer edge of
the bank, and shot out nearly horizontally
over the river below, full hundred feet
from the surface.
Dashing madly in their teeth with my
cudgel, yelled with the waning energy
of despair. Igrasped Garry with one arm
and dashed recklessly out upon the pine.
| thought not Of the danger; cared not.
| braved one danger to escape greater.
reached the branches. | breathed lreer
as heard the fierce howl of the bafled
party.
turned my head. and God Of mercy!
long shadow was gliding along on the
trunk of our last refuge. Garry was help
less and it required all the strength of in
tense despair to hold her and remain upon
the slippery trunk. turned to face the
wolf-he was within reach of my arm.
struck, with my fist, and again those fear
full jaws shut with snap, as my hand
brushed his head. With demoniac growl
he fastened upon the shoulder of Garry.
Oh! for help-for a weapon7-for foothold
on earth, where could have grappled with
the monster.
| heard the long fangs crunch into the
flesh and the smothered breathing. as the
wolf continued to make sure his hold! Oh!
it was horriblel beat him over the head,
but he only deigned a munching growl.--
| yelled, wept, cursed and'prayed, but the
hungry devil cared not for curses or pray
ers. His companions were still bowling
and whining, and venturing out upon the
pine. almost wished the tree would give
way. E.3erfi "a ta 4e
The wolf still kept his hold upon Garry.
None can dream how the blood hlssed and
swept through my knotted veins. At last
the brute, hungry for his prey, gave
wrench and nearly threw me from the pine.
Garry was helpless and insensible. Even
the crunching teeth Of the monster did not
awake her from the deathly swoon into
which she had fallen. 4.
Another wrench was made by the wolf,