Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-13

and they cannot see us. But suddenly
there eanie d l0ud crash in the weak
ratters on the roof; three of the mon
sters disappeared, but the roof gave way
under the fourth, and hung down with
in the cabin, while the creature endeav-
ored IN vain to ding to the rafters that
kept breaking around it. 1t was very
evident that 1t must soon fall into the
flames -beneath
=, Away fro:c the fire p' cried old Ros-
ko to the two females, who, terrified
fled into corner. Then he turned to
me and said: Now shoot Send pistol
ball into the fellows body take good
aim-hit sure r.
He seized the gun himself, and stood
by with it ready to strike blow with
the stock. We heard the creature
groaning with fear. 1t was of unusual
and fearful size. [ obcyed mechanically
the order of the old servant. / took a
true aim, fired, and at the same instant
the animal fell into burning pile of wood
beneath, from which flew on all sides
firebrands, burning Goals and sparks. l
[ started back from the flames but
there lay our enemy bleeding, and roll
ing itself among the firebrands, bowling
horribly and pitcously with pain. Ros-
ko kept his place couragiously; and
after having raised the stock of his gun
once OR twice over his head, and brought
it down each time with heavy blow,
there lay the beast dead before US, his
limbs stretched out stiff from his body
among the burning wood, which being
wctted with its blood, gave forth a
smothering steam. Rosko who had
always his wits about him, pulled it out
of the fire and dragged it into the fur
ther corner, where he left it lying, say
ing at the same time that he hoped it
would be the only visit of the kind we
should have during the night; " but
the-the day" added he, in a low tone
OF voice, will bring more of such Gus
toners than VIC will be able to master"
These words had reached my ears
only; Axinia and the French woman
looked up anxiously at the roof to soc
whether any fresh danger threatened us.
L drew near the old man, and led him
far away from Axinia towards the dead
wolf, as if l wished to examine it; and
then asked him in an under voice, what
were the fears he entertained for the
day, as L had been in hopes that when
came, the wolves would forsake
our place of refuge, and bctake then-
selves to the depth of the forest. -
And even if that were to be the
case, said he gloomily, " of what use
would it bo to us? The horses are
dead and how is weak, tender female
like Madamoisellc Axinia to reach the
outside of this forest on foot? In tho,
midst of our endeavor night would over-7
take us again, and the wolves would
know we'll where to find US. But any
hope of the kind is in vain. When
the wolves have assembled in such an
ell ormous mass as they have done here,
they are not afraid of daylight. So long
as our stock of wood holds out, our fire
will protect US from any attack from
above indeed 1 do not think that an
other Of the monsters will be bold
enough to try the roof again tonight
but by day-lig ght the flames do not make
SO powerful an impression upon them.
We must summon all our courage and
Ill our strength for what may then hap
pen, and prepare to defend the women
md our own lives to the last moment.
But it will be of no use-of no use"
added he, in a tone growing fainter and
rainter-'' of no use at all
l had placed my whole confidence in
The return of day 1 had already i'm
lgincd that we were safe at home IN the
castle Of my father; but now all my
hopes were destroyed; now, for the first
ime, our destruction appeared to me to
DC certain, and again all the horrors of
despair took possession of me. 1 did
lot dare to go near Axinia lest she
should guess, from the disturbed state
was in, what was the truth as to our
ate. wished it to Be kept from her as
ong as possible, that she might continue
o enjoy the feeling that she was safe
lnGl the danger was really near.
The hours passed anxiously and pain
'ully by. Axinia had fallen to sleep
md lay rcposing like an angel of peace
like child which knows nothing Of
he dangers which surround it. The
ady's maid, too, exhausted by her ap-
and her eXertions had fallen
nto kind of disturbed slumbcr or
tupor, from which she was every now
md then awoke in alright, raised her
elf up and stared vacantly at the hole
n the roof, and then sank down again
ecmingly insensible. l looked at AK
ia, and as l saw her smile in her sleep
t pierced me to the heart L felt op
PRESSED within me, as if a heavy load lay
lpon my breast, from which could not
ret free Tn the meantime old Rosko
i!ently went on keeping up the fire,
nd appeared to be thinking seriously
bout our position, although lie did not
communicate his thoughts to lis. He
vas right in what he said about the
Volvcs; not one of them appeared again
Turing the night at the opening of the
oof; but their scratching and scrapin@,
nd pushing against the door, their low
;lowlinG, and their running backward
nd forward around the hut, continued
he whole time.
1t is not surprising that even at this
cngth Of time | should remember accur-
ltely every particular which he had
the dangers of that moment
I I