Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-05-25
MISCELLANY,
Terrific Wolf Chase.

We are sure our readers will peruse the follow
ino exciting extract from volume. reprinted by
the Harpers, entitled 'Livoniaa Tales The
attack Of the hungry paci-the COM,
bat-the death struggle-the reScue-torm alto
rether one of the most thrilling scenes imagnasle
..One evening his way home led through des-
olate morassy wood, which stretched for ten wersts
on one side of his little tarm, and where the track,
deep between aceumulations of high snow, gave
only lust sufficient width for the little horse and
sledue. Marts eyes were closed and his senses
heavy with WEAKNESS, nevertheless he soon began
to be aware that the animal was quickenln9 Its
pace unwontedly again it ierked torward-qlncK-
er still-and low neighing sound OF terror elect
ually reused the drowsy man. lie looked IN
front; all was as usual--a wide scanty forest,
standing knee-dee in a bed OF snow-the narrow
trough of track winding through there and
there pyramids OF snow which showed the huge
ant-hiils of the country-the heavens brlght-the
earth white-not living object but the horse oe-
fore him. He looked behind-ths scene was Just
the same-white snow, and leafless trees, ana q
winding track; but close to the Sledge were three
dark gaunt animals, heavily gailoping, and anoth-
er was fast gaining behind. The jaws of the fore
most. with the lowness Of the sledge, were with
in the reach of Mart's shoulder He cared uot for
that-he knew that it was his horse they wanted
first and saw in an Instant that all depended on
the animals courage more than on his own
If the frightened creature could have the nerve to
keep steady in the track, the chances were much
in its favor, for the moment the wolves turned OIL
in order to pass and get ahead of it, the depth OF
the snow diminished their speed but should the
horse in its terror plunge aside and founder in the
snow, Mart knew that it would be lost. He lean
ed forward. called the animal checrtully by its
name. and laid his hand OH its back as he was Of
ten wont to do, in times of fatigue or difficulty
the poor beast knew the kind voice and hand
raised its ears, which were laid fiat back with
terror. and fell into an evener pace.
.'Nlart shouted violeutly-but the wolves were
either too keen or too many--it made no impress
sion. 1t was an awful time both for master and
horse. Mart kept his hand on the animal, while
his eve watched the terocious brates, who were
often within arms length. He had hatchet,
which he always carried on these occasions, to
chop the frozen fish; he felt for it and grasped it
in his hand but forbore to use it, for the closer
the wolves kept at the back of the sedge, the less
they were seen by the horse. Every minute,
however, one or more of them broke out Of the
track in the attempt to pass and although they
Instantly lost footing in the snow, yet the unbllnk-
cred ewes of the little animal had caught sight of
the dreaded foe, and plunge forward made Mart
turn his eyes with anxiety to see that 1t kept
straight in the narrow track.
''One of the wolves was more than usually huge
and long limbed, and more than once 1t had con-
trved, in spite Of the deep snow, to advance near
er abreast Of the sledge than any OF It's conpan-
ions. Upon this grim creature Mart more espe-
cially kept his watch, and caught the green light
which played from its eye-balls. 1t turned off
gain--the snow laid fleeter for space-the wolf
kept It's f6oting-it gained their pace is enor-
mous-the little horses eye glared round at 1t
Mart withdrew his hand, wet with the anlmal's
perspiraton the wof was just beyond arms reach,
but he kept his Ratchet in readiness. The horse
was now IN desperate gall0p, and the wolf just
abreast-it suddenly turned sharp towards it-now
was Mart's time. He dealt tremendous blow
the wolf avoided it, but stumbled in the snow,
and in few momentS was yards bellnd.
"The distance from home was now quickly
shortening beneath the hUrse's hoois which con-
tinued 10 carry the sledge at full gaop, TIL the
fear of an oyerturn became the source OF resn anX
ioty. Mart was quite aware by this time that
these were no common lazy wolves he had to deal
with, but sharpset determined brutes; to whom
man or beast would be alike welcome. These
were not the animals to be deferred by the sight
of mans dwelling, as is usually thecase, and there
was an ugly werst of wide open space between
the outskirts Of the forest and his house, which he
looked to with real apprehension.
"They were now at the very edge of the wood
the road became opener-the wolves gained on
every side-the horse bounded furiously forward,
caught the sledge against the stump OF a tree-it
overturned-waS swept away at tremendous
pace, and Mart was leit alone in the snow. In a
moment heavy claw had slit the throat and down
the font of his sheepskin-it was well Anno's
wrappers lazy 50 thick beneath. He threw off the
brute and rose-hs hatchet had been jerked out
of his hand in the tall-he cast desperate glance
around, but saw it not. The horse was now al
most out of sight, two of the wolves were close TO
the defenceless man, and the two others, desert
inc the animal were bounding back to him.
Mart faced the foremost, he could do no more, and
in an instant was surrounded.
ssHere we must leave him, however cruel it
NAV seem. Meanwhile the two women were as
usual expecting him anXiously at home-for Mart
was late Anno was sitting beneath the pine