Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-25

the Wlnu ana yet like 1t, was nealu lof d
/, moment, and then died away.
! 1T is the wolves, replied the baron, this
I cold weather makes them restless
There it Is again it is certainly nearer
| 'Erck,' said his master, letting down the
front window, tell the boys to drive on,we
must keep out Of the way of the wolves
'On with you my men, shouted Erick !;
and then in low voice he said, Il doubt
whether we can altogether keep out OF their
way, sir ..
How is that :, asked the baron, alarmed.
There is a large pack of them, sir, and
they are in scent of us, fear at least they
are much nearer than when | first heard
them, ten minutes ago. There they are !!
They cannot be more than half mile Oft.
What are we TO do ?? asked the baron; /;
I know you are Centland man, and more
used to these things than | am
why, sir, said the servant ifthey come
up 10 us we will take no notice of them, un-
less they attack us. AS they are very tim
I'd creatures, the glare of the lamps and the
sight of us will keep them off, and in an
hour we shall be in. But would advise,
sir, to draw the bullets from your large pis-
tolls, and load them with swan shot; it
would be more to the purpose to wound a
good many than to kill few
% papa cried Helena, as the baron took
his pistols from the top of his carriage,
what shall we do 7
I'VE shall do what we can, my dear
child, and God will do the rest for US
There is no great danger from these wolves,
except in the very depth of winter, and If
there were. He who delivered David from
the paw of the lion and the paw of fthe bear,
and Daniel from the seven hungry lions,
can deliver us also.
They are coming, sir, said Erick.
The baron looked and about hundred
yards back, to the right, in the woods. he
could Just make out a gray mass moving
through the trees and leaping out into the
carriage track.
They did not howl, but bayed fearfuly,
and as they trotted swiftly along, you might
hear the shuffling and rustling of the snow
under their feet. They moved steadily and
all together, and were evidently gaining on
the carriage. The post-boys piled both
whip and spur, and the horses themselves,
, in the agony Of fear, broke out into can
ter, despite the heavy snow.
DO you think there is any danger, my
y. dear husband ? asked the baroness.
Il cannot tell said her husband, they dc
not seem disposed to attack us et,but they
# are certainly savage. l! is for the horses
d we have to fear first
e 'Are they gaining on us?'
1t "a little; but they are not putting ou
d their speed; they could be up with US in
It moment if they liked
!, Thus the carriage rolled on.
= For about FIVE minutes Erick watched
: them, and the baron, thrusting himself ou
: from the left hand window, watched then
o carefully.
5 Are your pistols loaded. sir cried Erick
e 'All {: with swan shot
e Il have two loaded with ball, and two
: with shot so we shall do
+ The pack was now not more than ter
: yards from the carriage; there might be a
If bout two hundred in it. AT their head wa!
y an old, strong, gray-head-wof, the leader
: of the pack
!, They all came nearer, nearer, till at last
Wllu Il icNcIlSu HOWli lUC VI
one of the wheel horses, and at the same
y time received a bullet through his head from
t Erick, who was prepared for him.
t Now, SIR said he, if you will let me
have piece of string we may be able tc
; make something of it,
: "A piece of stringn cried his master
S 'yes, here is but to what end
d why, sir said he, wolves, like coward
ly creatures, as they are, are always sus
e pecting trap; so will just tie stick tc
a this string and let it drag behind the car
t riage. 1t will keep them of, dare say
e ten minutes
: Erick was right; the stick was dragged
along about the distance of ten yards be-
S hind, and for some time the pack kept be
It hind it, and were plainly afraid Of it. A
,, last they began to grow bolder-seemed tC
d have discovered the trick-passed the stick
/, and were again making up to the carriage
J.. They will be upon US in moment |!
r cried Erck. When I cry, Now sir, be
: ready to fire upon them from one side, ant
r so l will upon the other.
e very we'll, replied the baron.
d Helena sat with her hand in her mothers
$ looking up to her face. Her mother look
: ed sad, but very calm; she was evidently
e praying.
e Nov, sir = cried Erick.
Master and servant both fired at the same
S moment there was savage yell from tht
d foremost Of the fierce pack, and three o
p four fell.
Cd load again cried Erick; if this last
you will want all your pistols soon'
e After they had fred once or twice th'
e wolves were no longer frightened by tht
!. FIRE and fash and they began to surrounc
f 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 viii divert then
D for little while; and turning to the fore
: boy. he directed him to cut the traces O
his of horse. The man obeyed-the terri
:. fed 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 NAV BE safe, after ALL
: 'Ay, madam, if it pleases HIM. replied
the servant, but this relief will not las
long and they will soon Be upon Us again.
: How far do you imagine we are from
; the post house now?' eagerly inquired the
baron.
, Some half houl,' answered Erick; bu
they will chase us up to the very doors.
Never knew them more fierce. Hark! they
, have got him.
As he spoke there came scream, or ra
ther shrek, as Of a person in agony s;
: shrek SO horrible in its sound, that once
heard it could never be forgotten. Helen;