The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-11-03

/, from the left hand window, watched them
carefully.
Are your pistols loaded, sirH cried Er.
ick.
.All: with swan shot
!, 4 have two loaded with ball and two with
shot; SO we shall do
The pack was now not more than ten
yards from the carriage; there might be
about two hundred in it, At their head was
an old, strong, grey headed wolf, the leader Of
the pack. They all came nearer, nearer, till
at last with feverish howl, the leader sprang
ion one Of the wheel horses, and at the same
me received bullet through his head from
Erick, who was prepared for him.
Now. SIR said he if you will let me
have piece of string, We may be able to
make something of it,
\ "A piece of string!' cried his master, yes,
here it is; but to what end
why, SIR said he, wolves, like coward
I ly creatures, as they are, are always sus-
pecting trap; 50 will just tie stick to this
string, and let it drag behind the carriage.
1t will keep them off, dare say, ten min
utes.'
Erick was right; the stick was dragged
along about the distance Of ten yards behind
and they were plainly afraid oft. At last they
began to grow bolder, seemed to have dis
covered the trick, passed the stick, and were
again making up to the carriage.
They will be upon us in a moment cried
Erick. When l cry, now. sir, be ready to
fire upon them from one side, and SO will
upon the other
Very WE'LL replied the baron. Helena
sat with her hand in her mothers looking
Lc- g. loolyo1 cod hnt
very calm; she was evidently praying.
Now, SIR cried Erick.
Master and servant both fired at the same
moment; there was a savage yell from the
foremost Of the fierce pack, and three OF
four fell.
,, Load again. cried Erick; if this lasts you
will want all your pistols soon.'
After they had fired once or twice, the
!, wolves were no longer frightened by the fire
, and fash; and they began to surround the
coach on all sides.
There is but one thing left,' said Erick;
! 'we must cut the traces of one of the lead
ers and turn him off:-that will divert them
for little WHILE and turning to the FORE
boy, he directed him to cut the traces of his
off horse. The man obeyed, the terrified
, animal started off to the right into the forest
and with loud yell, the whole pack rushed
after him.
Thank God for that exclaimed the bar
oness. Then we may be safe after ALL
: sAy, madam, if it pleases Him. replied the
servant, .but this relief will not last long
and they will soon be upon Us again.
How far do you imagine we are from the
!, post-house. nowr eagerly enquired the bar
on.
Some half-hour,' answered Erick, but
they will chase US up to the very DOORS
never knew them more fierce. Hark! they
have got him.
AS he spoke there came a scream, OIL
. rather shrek, as of person in agony; I
:. shrek so horrible in its sound, that once
heard it could never be forgotten Helena
and her mother exclaimed, what can il
ber
1T is the poor horse, exclaimed the baron
, they are tearing him to pieces
A horse shrek is the most horrible Of all
things.
.Drive on for your lives,' shouted Erick
they will be back presently
But the snow became deeper, and the road
worse, and three horses worn out with fatigue
!, i'll supplied the place of four fresh ones.
= On the right hand the road thinned little
opening into glade, in the centre Of which
was pond; as the travellers passed it, the
pack Of wolves appeared dashing up the
valley, and the jaws and heads of many were
stepped in blood.
We must let another horse CO. cried
Erick, 'or they will be too much for US; bu,
we must take care what we are about. You
: and l, sir, will fire at once; and then do you
| Of ha olJal alIracSipv tho
, postboy, 'cut the traces of your horse, jump
, down, and leap up here by me-
This was done, and the pack again drawn
off. The remaining two horses strained their
utmost, and all the travellers instantly list
tened for any sign Of the temperance OF
, their enemies. The baron spoke once OF
, twice to Erick, but received no answer, he
seemed quite taken up by his own thoughts
At length the carriage reached the top OF
|, hill, and at the distance of apparently
: two miles before it, clear, steady light was
to be seen.
Thank God. there is Bolisvo,' exclaimed
, Erick.
sNow then, sir, believe that you are
SAFE As he spoke, the wolves were again
Z heard in the distance, and though the posi-
light grew larger and brighter every moment
the pack gained on them, and at last sur.
rounded them.
7 1T must come at last, my dear master,
i said Erick. Il have served you and YOU
father these twenty-three years, but never
did you better service than now intend te
do. II we all remain together we shall al
!, be torn to pieces. Twill get down, and witt
4 my pistols | shall, trust, be able to keeI
n them at bay few minutes. You 60 on witt
all speed,-leave me here. Iknow you will
take care of my wife and child
a No, Erick,' said the baroness, I'VE viii
' not allow this. We will all be saved or al
perish together. could not bear to escape
|, at the price of your blood'
4 No indeed. Erick,' said Helena
The baron looked ut his wife and child, ane
said nothing.
$ Besides | will try to climb tree sal,
4 Erick, may be they will give me time. Bu
Q if delay moment we will all be lost to-
9 gether.'
d 'God bless you, Eriek,' said his master
!. God bless you, and he will bless you. L
you perish, will look on your wife as /,
sister, and bring up your child as one of my
4 own
. Thank you SIR said Erck firmly Nov
o God be with you all. Fire, sir, both pistols
: at oncen
). And while the baron fired, Erck leaped t,
. the ground. On dashed the horses. the pa ri