Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-29


on frontier. The huge fire crackeled on
the wide hearth, and the old fashioned
fun and frolic rang out until late hour.
The moon had gone down when we start
ed for home, and the snow began to fall;
but we needed it not, for we talked fast
as the 'stout horse sped on the forest
path.
Carry grasped my arm and whispered,
"hist." The wind shrieked over the top Of
the dark pines, and laughed at her fear.
But she nestled closer to my side and
talked with less glee. In spite of all my
efforts, shadow would creep over my own
spirit
= The road wound among dense growth
of pines which shot upwards, and veiled
even the sky from our path. The old
pines swayed and moaned in the increasing
storm, and the snow fell fast and thickIy.
touched the horse with the whip and he
moved briskly through the woods. Again
Carry grasped my arm. I heard nothing
save the storm, and yet was startled as
the horse gave quick snort and struck
into gallop. With heart full of hap
piness, l had not yet dreamed of any dan
ger.
Again the horse snorted in alarm. There
was sound above the storm. I felt nv
cheeks grow white and cold, and the blood
rushed quickly back to my heart
Clear, wild, terrible, it burst out in an
unearthly howl like a wall from the world
of fiends. l heard it, Its dismal, heart
chilling echoes had not died away on the
storm, when it was answered from a score
of throats.
Merciful God! a pack of wolves were
around US. In those dark woods at night
and the storm bowling overhead, 9 score of
hungry throats were yelling at each other
on the feast.
For moment my senses reeled. But
felt Garry leaning heavily on my shoulder,
and aroused.
But what hope was there! I had no
weapon, and the maddened devils were in
the path before and behind us. There WAS
but one chance, and that was to rush
ahead.
There was slim chance, and grew sick
as l thought of Carry. The quiet cabin
and the happy hearth at home flashed
through my brain.
AT that moment dark shadow glided up
by the side of our sleigh, and so wild and
devilish yell have never heard since
My flesh crawled on my bones. cold
shlver ran to my heart and crept to nv
head as though the hairs were standing on
end. Two eyes glared out like demon
lights, and L could hear the painting of the
eager breast
Finally grasping the lines and shouting
Sharply to the horse we shot away.
The horse needed no urging. AT the act
hat Internal chorus again burst out in ear
nest, and their dark forms leaped in length
'ned strides on either side of us. The speed
vas fearful, and yet the yelling kept pace.
turning to speak to Carry saw a dark
orm leap into the path, and as we sped
lhead, his teeth shut with yice-like snap.
Missing Carry, and stripping her shawl
rom her shoulders. With shrek she clunp
o me, and with my arm saved her from
'elng dragged out of her seat.
became maddened-reckless. I shouted
o the horse, now reeking with foam. We
vent on at fearful rate The stumps.
oots and uneven places in the road threat
ned every instant to wreck our sleigh.
Home was three miles distant. Oh for
world to give for home!
As the road struck the river bank IL
arned shortly almost on the brink of a
sarful precipice. Here was a difficult
lace, and there was not only danger of
psetting, but of being hurried into the
iver.
There was path across the angle of land
here logs had been drawn out. 1t was q
'ile nearer this way to clearing than by
lie river. But burst not attempt it with
Sloipb