The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-02-24
A RACE FOR LIFE.
story OF the Early Settle ement OF the
State Of New York.

was wilderness, wild, grand, beautiful. We
! located fifteen miles from the farthest pioneer.
| The woods were around u.s. the tall trees and
| the picturesque mountains.
We had opened space in the forest and q
| cabin of that good old time afforded US shelter.
| 1t looked new and comfortable and its chimney
smoke cured gracefully up and vanished with
| the shadows of the forest. The blackened heaps
J smoked and cracked, and deep in those wild
wood solitudes the wilderness blossomed and
smiled in the presence of yellow harvests. a
happy home was there. The birds sang at ear
liest morn, and the deep river near the door muir
INJURED sweetly at nightfall. There were gentle
whisperings in the old trees. As they bowed
their heads in the wind, a holy anthem floated
up from the vast temples where nature breathes
fresh and pure from the hand of God. The wild
flowers bloomed even by the very door SILL and
the deer stopped in the forest to gaze upon the
smoke of the chimney top.
Twas a beautiful home in the wilderness
The spring brought neighbors. Twas a
great day when settler came i'll and purchased
land across the river. lie received II warm well
come from pioneer hearts, and by the ready o.
gency ef pioneer hands, comfortable log cabin
peeped ont from the dense woodland OF the op-
posite bank. watched the smoke from the
open roof as the went down, and eagerly
locked for il the next morning. But it was not
the smoke that | cared much about.
| only knew that it cuIled upward from the
ireside where dwelt as beautiful creature
ever bloomed away from the busy world. And
so watched the smoke, and dreamed as watch
ed the river, until the moon threw down its beau
tiful pathway of shining silver, and listened for
the sound OF familiar footsteps.
Across the river was the home Of Garry Ma
son Before the mellow haze of Autumn had
dropped its dreary hue on leaf and stream had
learned to love her. and to tell her i'll the still
moon light of that hidden home
= The leaves faded and the winter winds swept
through the forest Rut W - "a red little for that
The snow fell thick and fast, but our cabin
homes were bright and hearts were alive
with happiness and hope. When the spring
opened and the birds returned, to be
married.
A winter evening party in a country
Did you ever attend reader! There are
large hearths and open hearts there to be found
Cary and were invited to attend the party
rude Jumper" had been built, and i'll this we
started. Ten miles were soon passed, and we
found ourselves in as merry and happy throng
gathered a-frontier. The huge fire
cracked on the wide hearth. and old fashioned
fun and frolic rang out until late hour.
The moon had gone down when started for
home, and the snow began to fall; but We heed
ed it not, for talked fast as the stout horses
sped on the forest part
Carry grasped my arm and whispered hist!"
The wind shrieked over the tops Of the dark
pines and laughed at her fears. But she nes-
tied closer to my side and talked with less giee.
In spite OF all my efforts, shadow would creep
over my spirits.
The road wound among n dense growth of
pines which shot upwards, and yeiled even the
sky from path. The old pines swayed and
mOaned ia the increasing storm, and the snow
fell fast aud thickly. l touched the horse with
the whip and he moved briskly through the
woods. Again Carry grasped my arm. l heard
nothing save the storm, and yet | was startled
as the horse gave quick snort and struck into
gallop. 18th a heart full of happiness, had
not yet dreamed of any danger.
Again tue horse snorted in alarm. There
was sound above the storm l felt my cheek
grow white and cold, and the blood rushed quick
ly back 10 my heait
Clear, Wild terrible, it burst cut in an
earthly howl like wall from the world of fends.
heard it. Its dismal, heart chilling echoes had
not died away the storm, when it was ans
wered from score of throats.
Merciful God pack of wolves around
us. In those dark woods at night, and the
storm bowling overhead, of hungry
throats were fercely yelling at each other on the
prospect of feast.
For moment my senses reeled. But felt
Carry leaning heavily on my shoulder, and ar
oused.
But what hope there? had no weapon,
and the maddened devils were in the path be-
fore and behind us. There was but one chance,
and that was TO push ahead
ms was u sim chance, ana L grew SICK rs L
thought of carry. The quiet cabin and the hap
py hearth at home flashed swiftly through my
brain.
At that moment dark shadow glded up by
the side of our sleigh, and so wild and devilish
yell have never heard since My flesh crawl
ed my bones. A cold shiver ran to my
heart and crept over my head as though the
hairs were standing on end. Two orbs glared
out like demon lights, and could hear the pam
ting of the eager beast
Finally grasping the lines and shouting sharp
ly 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
either side of US. The speed was fearful, and
yet the yelling devils kept pace. Turning to
speak to Carry, / saw a dark form leap into the
path, and sped ahead his teeth shut with
a vice-like snap, missing Carry, and stripping
her shawl from her shoulders. With a shrek
she clung to me, and with my arm l saved her
from being dragged out of her seat.
/ became maddened-reekless. | shouted to
the horse now recking with foam. We went
at fearful rate. The stumps and trees, and
even places in the road, threatened every in
slant to wreck our sleigh.
Home was three miles distant. o, for world
to give for home.
AS the road struck the river bank, it turned
shortly almost ON the brink of fearful preci-
plce. Here was q new danger. lt was diff