Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-13
EATON, PREBLE COUNTY, o. AUGUST l3 1857.

mind, when he ran back q set the
horses off, and thereby give hen the
chance Of saving themselves to snatch
the lantern from the sleigh and bring
it with him into the hut. now be.
gan to examine the inteTleT, to see
whether we were in safety and as we
did so we heard the low groE Rgsof the
wolves, who continued jul asaipst
the Windows ut ssassgina s
|dows were fastened with very strong
shutters. Mud walls surrounded US,
and bank of earth was butt against
one side; a little half-rotten straw lay
in corner, and by the side of it lay an
invaluable treasure, heap of tirewood,
sufficient in all probability to save US,
during four-and twenty hours, from the
severity of the frost. The old servant
lost not moment in making use Of the
discovery. a most grateful fire soon
famed in the middle of the room, the
smoke from which went upward and
found an outlet at one of those open
ings in the roof which usually form the
chimney in one of these hunters huts.
Il now-breathc more freely, and,eould
look more calmly upon my sister, who
had set down quietly upon the earthen
bank and was engaged in ondeavoring
to restore the fainting ladys maid,
whom Rosko had placed there when he
carried her in. With the help of some
spirits from Rosko's flask, she at last
succeeded; and we all gathered round
the fire the beneficial effects of which
gave US new life and while VIC listened
to the savage growlings of our fearful
enemies outside, we congratulated our
selves upon having escaped them. The
French woman, now that the paralizing
effect of the fear had left her, hegan to
describe with astonishing volubility, all
she had suffered, and how she expected
every moment to see one of the mon
sters spring into the sleigh and swallow
US all up. sat holding Axinias hand
in mine, and an expression of unspeak-
able JOY might be seen in the faces of
us both. Old Rosko alone. appeared
at the favor which fate had
shown us; he sat looking with gloomy
into the rising flames
his brow was knit, and from time to
time he shook his head Suddenly we
now heard resounding from distance
so loud and heart piercing a cry of pain,
that we looked at each other i,saston-
shmapt, and A xiniss cEE.s,t- cEE.s,t-ss..k.a1..1s -ss...k.a.1ss
rs if for safety. [ had never heard
sound like it before it could be the
tones Of no human being that pierced
The air with so much strength, and l
knew of no animal the cry of which it
rescmbled. 1t soon ceased; but the
pitcous complaint, the heart-piercing
distress of that tone, continued to sound
IN eur ears. Rosko had gone uneasily
towards the door, and was looking
through crack in it. 1t had now be-
come stiiler without, and it appeared to
ne that the growing and howling cf
he wolves no longer sounded directly
II our neighborhood. Old Rosko came
pack from the door, and he must have
seen in my face an interrogation as to
he shocking, unnatural tones We had
heard. ~,
& Poor Alexander, all is over with
lin! The young beast was full of
courage and fire, and no doubt fought
lis blood-t thirsty enemies bravely with
lis hoofS but he was obliged to give
way; the numbers were too great for
i'm. Yes, sir" continued he, " that
lreal:ul cry announced to us the death
# your tjlvorite horse. [ have heard
his tone which pierces to the very soul
IN the field of battle. 1t is peculiar
o strong young horses, which part
hardly with their life, and struggle with
Ieath to the last moment. Twill layany
wager that it went easier with Cynthia
he was weaker than Alexander, and
ldcr too But this much is certain,
hat the poor animals have become a
Ircy to the wolves, which arc at this
moment devouring them, and therefore
cave us in peace. At this moment
here are but few of them about the !
nut; the great mass are engaged in
heir horrid meal. They will soon re-
urn, however, more ravcnously hungry
nd more blood thirsty than ever, for
his slight repast is sufficient only TO
and excite their Unsuitable ap
,ctites.''
The old man had spoken truly. We
ut still, and as if waiting around the
re; and few moments only had
asscd when VIC again heard the feet and
he painting Of the wolves close outside
Thcn they came bursting against the
oor and the window shutters ; then
he howling became louder, and we
ould find that with newly excited rage,
hey were trying to climb up the door
osts aud mud walls i'll order to get on
he roof We were in the most anxious
uspcnse. Our eyes fixed on the open
ne in the roof just above us, through |
Ihich, when puff of wind parted the
loud of smoke which went up from onr
re, the star-lit heavens looked brightly
own upon us. A fresh column of
moke was just about to twirl upwards,
Ihen the lady's maid uttered loud
hriek, and pointing with her finger to
he roof, fell speech!css to the ground.
fearful sight was before us Four
'olves' heads, with bloody jaws, and
heir tongues hanging out, showing
heir white rows of savage teeth, were
anged around the edge Of the opening,
nd looking down with glowing eyes,
nto the fumes beneath. Seen through |
he smoke, as we saw them, they looked
Ike demons. At this unexpected sight,
Id Rosko retained his presence Of mind.
Ic threw fagot into the fire, saying,
ho,-o -, 4l,,.,