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

Winter Travelling in Russia, or Erick and
the Wolves.

Winter Travelling in Russia, or Eriek and
the Wolves.
! 1t was stormy evening in the month o
November, that u Russian nobleman calle,
Baron Jarosalo, his wife, and little daugh
ter Helena and their faithful servant Erick
in heavy travelling chariot and four, driver
by two Positions, drew up at the only inr
of the little town of Kobrin, which lies on
the borders of Russia and Poland. They
were returning from their travels in Europe
and as the baron had already overstayed the
time he had intended to be absent from home
and the weather was every day growing
worse and worse, he was anxious to press
forward with all the speed possible. The
fur caps of the postillions. the long names
and tails of their horses, and even the rough
lcathern portmanteaus, were white with
frost: clouds of steam rose from the weary
beasts as they were embarrassed, and the
landlord coming to the door of the chariot
observed that his honor would not think oil
proceeding further.
Not if were at liberty to follow my own
inclination,' said the baron; but as it is am
pressed for time, and we must get over an.
other stage tonight
1T is a long one, SIR said the landlord
thirty versts at least, and you have the for.
ests of Roster to pass There the road is
bad, and dare say the snow is very deep
and the wolves are getting hungry
ooh, am not afraid Of the wolves CRIED
the baron; .they would not dare to attack q
carriage SO early in the year as this. Lei
us have four good horses, and we may be In
by nine, for it is not more than half-pas
six
well, sir, wilful man must have hi:
own way, only hope you may not repen
your determination. Horses on directly
Nicholas. But may be your honor andyou
honor's lady will take something hot for yo'
will need it before you 60 to Bolisvo.'
So a cup of spiced wine was brought 70
the travellers, and Erck had double por
tion He sat wrapped up in huge fu
cloak, on low kind of box in front; for tn
baron's carriage, though old fashioned, ha
been built in England. In a few moment
the fresh horses were harnessed, the pos
tillions cracked their whips, and amidst TIL
thanks and goodnight oil the landlord, tn
carriage rolled on.
1T is bitterly cold,' said the baroness, a
she pulled the cloak more completely roun
her, and took the little Helena on her lap
it is bitterly cold; and fearful night t
travel in
| IF the moon can but break through tn
clouds, as she is trying to do, we shall hav
pleasant ride yet replied her husband
What. Catherine, Russian. and afraid of
little snown
We'll, am glad we came on, too sal
the wife; it is pleasant to think that ever
mile we travel brings us nearer home, and IN
dear little Nicholas and Fredrica.'
They were now passing over wild moor
the wind whistled mournlully round til
carriage, driving and chasing the snow be
fore it, for it was showing heavily. Th
glare of the lamps cast kind of ghastly haz
on the immediate neighborhood of the car
riaee. and seemed to make the dark distanc
still darker.
80, mammal! cried Helena, 'let me com
closer to you. it makes me afraid to look OF
of the window
why, what should you be afraid of, m
love.
| .One is always afraid in the dark, yol
know, mamma; and then just listen to tn
wind-how it howls.'
sMy dear child, see the moon is just com
ing out. and we shall not have to journey il
the dark
The clouds passed off; the neon wa
walking in brightness; the wheels rolled OF
noiseless over the snow; and as far as tn
eve could see, was one glistening sea o
white.
On passed the carriage.
what is Erck looking att asked the bar
oness, for the box was 80 low that its oC
cupant might be seen from the front window
of the carriage.
Il cannot tell,' said her husband, .but h
must have good eyes if he can make ou
anything
.Hark! what is thatr cried his wife, as
! long, low, melancholy howl, different fror
the wind, and yet like it, was heard for
moment, and then died away.
1T is the wolves replied the baron, 'thi
cold weather makes them restless
i .There it is again, it is certainly nearer.
sErick,' said his master, letting down tn
front window, 'tell the boys to drive on, W
must keep out Of the way Of the wolves
.On with you, my men, shouted Erick
and then in a low voice he said, Il doub
whether we can altogether keep out of thei
way, sir
How is thatr asked the baron alarmed
There is large pack of them, sir, an
they are in scent Of us, fear least they ar
much nearer than when first heard then
ten minutes ago.
4 There they are.
They cannot be more than half mil
/, Off
What are we to dor asked the baron, :
know you are a Centland man, and more use
to these things than am
H why, sir, said the servant, 'if they com
up with us we will take no notice OF then
unless they attack us. AS they are yer
timid creatures, the glare of the lamps an
the sight OF us will keep them off, and in a
hour we shall be in. But would advise, 81
to draw the bullets from your large pisto
and load them with swan shot, it would b
| more to the purpose to wound good man
than to kill one or two
% papa' cried Helena, as the baron too
his pistols from the top ofthe carriage, 'whs
, shall we do!'
, we shall do what we can, my dear chill,
{ and God will do the rest for us. There
: no great danger from these wolves, exceI
in the very depth of winter, and if ther
were. He who delivered Daniel from til
paw of the lion and the paw Of the bear, an
Daniel from the seven hungry lions, can de
liver us also.'
'They are coming, SIR said Erick.
I. L.