Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-25

God, and prayed for succor, which only
seemed to depend on the speed and wint
of the brave animals.
The forest was pouring out its four,
footed assassins. The flock thickencd
They rushed painting on along the snow
and the black dots increased into masses
They behcld the prey that they must
run down, and their red throats already
thirsted for blood. Thchowling increased
the rushing speed with which they ad-
vanced became quickened, and like liv-
ing torrent they swept over the plain.
The bleak wind sung low, moaning
song, as if it were the dirge of the human
victims, while the horses strained every
nerve, and madly-madly on from the
reach of their hirSute enemies they sought
to fly.
cob! sweet mother of heaven protect
US" murmured the mother, hoping
against hope, and still urging the stccds
on, when-crack one horse stumbled,
a trace snapped-a pole broke; and
while score of infuriated wolves Eas-
tened like leeches on the poor horse, the
other had (at the imminent risk of over
turning the sledge, thereby booming its
freight to certain death) detached himself
and swept madly on.
For short space there was lull. The
animals were gorging Of their prey
With rayenous throatS they tore the flesh
from the bones, drank the blood, devourcd
the very heart of the beast and those
who still hungrcd and thirstcd, not being
able to obtain their desired food, or break
the living ring around the poor brute,
gathered up their energies for fresh pur-
suit, and indomitably set forth after the
sledgc, which now, alas sensibly slack
cned in its tremendous pace.
In the struggle of the horse to free it.
self from its companion, the cape of the
sledge was torn down, and the eyes of
the mother were almost blinded by the
awful sight. Scores of wolves, with
lolling tongues, blazing eyes, and erect
hair, were pouring on after them, and the
children, who had slept till now, woke
up, and perceiving their danger, increased
the mothers alarm and apprehension by
their cries.
God alone could save them now
The heart of the mother sank. A dead
ly sickness came upon her as the cry of
the filthy animals rose now into an al
most exulting howl. Their instinct told
them that the horse must ere long give
in, and the foremost large, strong crea-
lures, pressed on with redoublcd eager
ness. She saw the demon faces of the
brutes behind-she almost felt their hot
breathing on her cheeks-she heard their
fierce and unre!enting painting, and still
she encouraged the noble horse, though
every moment lessening the distance be-
tween the plrsuerS and the pursued.
The hlrsutc monsters were close upon
the sledge. At times, their hideous heads
would appear before her with their glaring,
devouring eyes fixed upon her and her
children, and once or twice some bolder
than the rest had made a bound over the
edge, but the speed Of the sledge struck
them down, went over them, or SO lamed
them that they fell yelping on the snow,
and the next moment were dcvoured bv
their companions.
Still the horse sped on, though the poor
animal seemed to know that his strength
was beginning to fail him. Still the
hideous bowling was heard, and still did
the horrible heads appear before the half
mother glance. At last, the
boldest, tiercest, ran with case almost
abreast the sledge for long distance,
occasionally turning their ravenous eyes
OH their expected victims. or, with cool
business like manner, quickening their
speed as the horse at times quickened
his. One of the wolves seemed to have
found it an easy task to keep up with
them. Every now and then he appeared
to measure his distance, as if to spring in
among them, and only deferred it as if to
whct his appetite still more and to take it
easy when the horse finally tired out.
Mercilul God the horse stumbles.
No, ne is up again, and the wolf that
so securely counted On his meal lies on
the snow with his neck broken, and the
teeth of the pack rending him to pieces.
\ little more-only little longer, good
horse, and they are approaching habita-
tions.
iiN 1lpI Sol'S--IiiS DUul SWdFS
side to side-his head nods-his strength
is evidently going-his speed slackening.
The brave horse has held out as long as
he could He Stumblcs second time.
and the internal yell Of the wolves arose
like the cry of triumph from the ficnds
behind the mother, who clasps her chill
dren to her breast, and having kissed
them, meditates leap out of the sledge
in order to give them a single chance
more, for her devotion is equal to the aw-
full sacrifice.
The horse is down; the pack are sur
the slcdgc. Already the two
one OH each side, prepare to
leap On the children, when crack crack
a couple of rifle balls knock the brutes
over, and there is rage and terror struck
through the whole body of the pursuers.
Thanks to Heaven. Mother and chill
dren are saved, but tie noble horse has
broken his heart in terror.
For the husband, who had anticipated
his wite's arrival On this particular day
(punctuality is ever an advantage) had
set Oft to meet his family, accompanied
10y some of his servants and all armed
with their deadly rifles.
They ale all saved, and who is there
that cannot imagine for rhimselfthethanks
giving and the rejoicing iu the proprie-
D,