The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-02-18

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sior with Cynthia; she was weaker than
Alexandra, and older too. But this
much is certain, that the poor animals
have become prey to the wolves, " hich
are at this moment engaged in devour-
ing them, and therefore leave us in
peace. At this moment there are but
few of them about the hut; the great
mass are engaged in their horrid meal.
They will soon return, however, more
ravenously hungry and more blood -thirs.
ty than ever fo- this slight repast is
sufficient only to stimulate their insatia-
BILE appetites.
The old man had spoken truly. We
sat still, and were waiting round the fire:
and few moments only had passed
when we again heard the feet and the
painting of the wolves close outside; then
they came bursting against the door
and the window shutters; then The
growing became louder; and we could
find that, with newly excited rage, they
were trying to climb up the door posts
and the mudwalls in order to get upon
the roof We were in the most auxi-
GUS suspense. Our eyes were fixed on
the opening in the roof, just above US,
through which, when puff Of wind
parted the cloud of smoke which went
up from our fire, the star-lit heavens
looked brightly down upon us. A fresh
column of smoke was just about to twirl
upwards, when the lady's maid uttered
loud shrek, and pointing with her fin
ger to the roof, fell speechless on the
ground A fearful sight was before us!
Four wolves heads, with bloody jaws,
and their tongues hanging out, showing
their white rows of savage teeth, were
ranged round the edge of the OPEN
ing, and looking down, with glowing
eyes, into the flames beneath. Seen
through the smoke as we saw them, they
looked like demons. At this unexpec-
ted sight, only Rosko retained his pres
ence of mind. He threw fagot into
the fire saying We have nothing to
fear from these four: taey do not like
fire; it dazzels them and they will not
be able to see us.'' But suddenly there
came loud crash in the weak rafters
of the roof; three of the monsters dis
appeared, but the roof gave way under
the fourth, and hung down within. the
cabin, whilst the creature endeavered in
vain to cling to the rafters which kept
breaking round it. It was very evi-
dent that it must soon fall into the
flames beneath.
away from the fire !'' cried old
Rosko to the two females, who, terrified,
fed into corner. Then turning to me
said: "Now shoot Send pistol ball
into the fellows's body; take good aim
hit sure;"
He seized the gun himself, and stood
by with it ready to strike a blow with
the stock. We heard the creature
grooming with fear. It was of unusual
aud fearful size. I obeyed mechanical
ly the command of the old servant. I
took true aim. fred, and at the same
instant the animal fell into the burning
pile of wood beneath, from which few
on all sides fire. brands, burning Goals,
and sparks. I stated back from the
flames; but there lay our enemy bleed
ing, and rolling itself amongst the fire.
brands, bowling horribly and piteously
with pain. Rosko kept his place cour-
ageously; and after having raised the
stok of the gun once or twice over his
head, and brought it down again each
time with heavy blow, there lay the
beast dead before US, its limbs stretch
ed out stiff from its body amongst the
burning wood, which being wetted with
it's blood, gave forth smothering steam.
Rosko, who had always his wits about
him, pulled it out of the fire, and drag |
ged it into the furthest corner, where
he left it lying, saying at the same time
that he hoped it would be the only visit
of the kind we should have during the
night; " but the day, the d'y!" added
he, in low tone of voice, "will bring
US more of such customers than we shall
be able 10 MASTER
These words had reached my ears only;
Axinia and the French woman looked
anxiously up at the roof, to see whether
any danger threatened US. L drew near
the old man and led him far away from
Axinia towards the dead wolf, as if 1
wished to examine it; and then 1 asked
him in an under voice., what were the
fears he entertained for the day, as
had been in hopes that, when morning
came, wolves would forsake our place of
refuge, and betake themselves to the
depths of the forest.
" And even If that were to be the
case" said he gloomily, "ofwhat use
would it be to us? The horses are dead,
and how is a weak, tender female, like
Mademoisella Axinia, to reach the out.
side of this forest on foot ? In the midst
of our endeavor, night would overtake
US again, and the wolves would know
we'll where to find us. But any hopo of
the kind is vain. When the wolves
have assembled in such enormous masses |