Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-12-30


drive ran. This was indicated, if the outline o.
the ground was lost, by tall pieces of sticks al
regular distances, in the form of mile stones, SO
that there was, at least no fear of mistaking the
way.
The lady was woman of courage and self
possession, and had often travelled out in her hus-
bands sledge; and though occasionally she had
seen wolves lowering in the distance, no serious
danger had as yet been encountered. She had
therefore, no fear, though apprehensions were en-
tertaned, that after season OF unusual severity
the wolves would pour out of the forest in great
force and rendered untameably ferocious by the
| hunger gnawing their vitals.
1, Farewells, cordial and grateful, were uttered
messages of friendlness passed ; the horses led
ont and with word, the sledge darted off into
the white plain-the young children crouching
/ snugly in the bottom Of the sledge, on each side
lof their mother with sense of comfort and secu-
rity that made her smile with pleasure. The
! hood was drawn over the tough ash poles to keep
/ the falling snow away, should storm happen,
/ which lly the heavy blue of the distant horizon
before them seemed not unlikely. Away went
the noble steeds, away sped the light compact
carriage with speed like that of the wind, and
which seemed likely, with few brief hours, to
pisce them in safety and comfort within the walls
of their own comfortable habitation.
With an occasional cry of encouragement the
mother urged. almost necessarily, the horses to
increase their sread. and she had forgotten, in the
rapidity with which they were travelling, that
there were such things as Iyolves IN the country;
when suddenly long, low h2wlIng, rising upon
the air, and increasing intonato1!, struck chill
like that of death to her heart and warned the
affrighted mother the wolves were out.
Horrible demon beasts, ,murdereus and obscene!
there is no creature in this wonderful universe
that seems so much to have merited the abhor-
renee of man as the wolf; and still it would be
arraigning the wondrous system of the creation
fits use, in some sense other, were ignored
The sense Of seifpreseTvation, however, that pla-
ces man in arms against that which is inmical to
his safety, appears justified in waging war with
it, and therefore every means that can be taken
to subdue, and even to extcr1ninate these fright
fll monsters, IS sanctioned in its very purpose
The horses TOO had heard this fearful cry and
their unerring instincts told them that foe to be
feared was on their track. With smoking nos
trils, erect ears, and distended eyes, they dashed
along with the speed Of the whirlvi1l and still
iiiS lOliS IlGl@lICIiOly ltoNA lCSS bN4b
them while the pale mother commended herself
and her children to God, and prayed for succor,
which only seemed to.depend the speed and
wind ofthe brave animals.
The forest was pouring out its four-footed as
sassins. The flock thickencd. They rushed
painting on aloug the snow, and the black dots
increased into masses. They bcheld the prey
that they must run down. and their red throats
already thirsted for blood. The bowling ncrea-
sed-thc rushing speed with which they advan-
ced became more quickened, and like living tor
rent they swept over the plain The bleak wind
sung a low moaning song, as ifit were the drge
of the human victims, while the horses strained
every nerve and 1nadly ly-madly on from the reach
of their hirsute enemies they sought to fly.
Oh sweet mother of heaven protect US, -
murmured the mother. hoping against hope, and
still urging the steeds on, when-crack One
horse stumbled a trace snapped-a pole broke
and while score of infuriated wolves fastened
like leeches on the poor horse, the other had lat
the imminent risk of overturnng the sledge,
thereby looming its freight to certain DEATH de-
taohed himself and swept madly on.
For short space there was a hull. The ami
mails were gorging of their prey. With ravenous
the blood, deyoured the very heart of the beast;
and those who still hungered and thirsted, not
being able to obtain their desired food, or break
the living ring around the poor brute, gathered
up their energies for a fresh pursuit, and indom-
ILaDIy -.--i-Iea which NOW
alas sensibly slackened in its tremendous pace.
In the struggle of the horse to free itself from
its companion, the cape of the sledge was torn
oc he ,Yapthpr almost
blinded by the awful sight. Scores of wolves,
with loing tongues, blazing eyes, and erect halr,
4 were pouring on after them and the children,
who had slept till now, woke up, and percelving
/ their danger, increased the mothers alarm and
apprehension by their cries.
God alone could save them from death now
! The heart of the mother sank. A deadly sick
ness came upon her as the cry of the filthy AMI
/ mails rose now into an almost exulting howl
Their instinct told them that the horse must ere
lone give in. and the foremost large, strong crea-
tures- nressed on with redoubled eagerness. She
saUy the demon faces of the brutes behind ; sht
almost felt their hot breathing on her checks
! she heard their fierce and unrelenting painting
and still she encouraged the noble horse thouSf
every moment lessening the distance between thu
pursucrs and the pursued.
The hirsute monsters were close upon siedge
At times their hideous heads would appear oeior
her with their glaring devouring eyes fixed npol
her and her children, and once or twice, som
bolder than the rest had made bound over tn
edge, but the speed of the sledge struck then
down. went over them, or so lamed them, tha
they fell yelping on the snow, and the next me
! tment were dcvoured by their companions.
l,,r II,