The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-05-06
r COTTMR1A COUNTY PA WEDNESDAY. MAY 6. 1857

have become prey TO the wolves, which al
this moment are engaged 10 their horid meal.
They will soon return, however, mose blood
thirsty then ever, for this sIight repast Is suf.
fic,ent only to stimulate their Unsuitable apps-
tiles.n
The old maa had truly spoken. We sat
still, and % If waiting round the fire and
few moments only bad passed when We sgain
heard the feet and the painting Of the wolves
close outside; then they came bursting
against the door and window shutters; then
the growing became louder; and we could
find that, with newly excited rage, they were
trying to climb mp the door posts and The
mud walls in order to get upon the roof We
were in the mos. anxious suspense. Our eyes
were fixed on the opening Of The roof just
above us, through which wien. .. puff of wind
parted the cloud Of smoke xhis1 went up
from our FIRE, the stai.Iit heass5au looked
brightly down upon US. a frsshsS lHna of
smoke was just abou, to iwirl nANass, when
The lady maid uttered a shrek md, point.
ing with her finger to the roof, fell saeschless
on the ground. A fearful sight was before
us Fonr wolves heads, with bloody jaws,
and their tongues hanging out, showing their
white rows of savage teeth, were ranged
round the edge OF the opening, and looking
down, with glowing eyes, into the flames be-
meath. Seen through the smoke as we saw
them, they looked like demons. Al this un-
expected sight, only Rosko retained his pres
snce of mind. He threw a fagol into the fire
saying, "We have nothing 10 fear from these
four; they do not like fire; it dazzles them,
and they will not be able 10 see US" Blu.
suddenly there came !ond crash 10 the weak
raflers OF The roof; three of The monsters dis.
appeared, but the roof gave way under the
fourth, and hung down within the cabin,
while the creature endeavored in vain 10
cling to the ratlers which kept brakihg round
il. 1t was very eviden, that i, must soon fall
into the flames beneath. =
"Away from lhe fire !" cried old Rosko TO
the two females, who, terrified, fled inio
corner. Then he turned TO me and said
"Now, shoot Send pistol ball into The
fellows body; take good aim-hii sure!"
He seized the gun himself, and stood by
with il ready 10 strike blow with the stock.
We heard the creature erosning with fear
II was of unusual and fearful size. Iobeyed
mechanically the command of the old ser
want. look a true aim, fred, and al the
same instant The animal fell into the burning
pile Of Wood beneath, from which few on
all sides fireorands, burning coafsss.d spasks.
started back from the flames; but there lay
our enemy bleeding, and rolling itself among
the frebrants, howling horribly aud piteousiy
with paiG. Rosko kept his place coura
geously; and after having raised the stock OF
bis gun once or twice over his head, and
brough, il down again each time with heavy
blow, there lay the beast dead before US, It's
limbs stretched out stiff from its body among
the burning wood, which, being all weted
with iis blood, gave forth smothering steam.
Rosko, who had always his wits abou, him,
pulled i, -ou, of The fire, and dragged it into
the further corner where he left il lying say
ing at The same time that he hoped il would
be the only visit of The kind we should have
during the night; "5ut the day-he day."
added he," in a low tone Of voice, twill bring
Us more of such customers than we shall be
able to m mas,eT." N.s-e-.
These words had reached my ears only
Axinia anc the French woman looked anx
:ously up TO the roof, 10 see whether any
fresh danger threatened us. drew near TO
the old man, and led him far away fIom AK
inis towards The wolf, as If I wished to ex.
anime il and then / asked him, in al under
voice, wha. were the fears he entertained for
the day, as had been in hopes that, when
morning came, the wolves would forsake our
place of refuge, and belake themselves 10 the
depth of the forest.
Sand even If that were 10 be the case"
said he, gIoomily, ''of what use would il be
TO US The horses are dead; and how is a
weak, tender female, like Mademoiselie AK
inia, to reach The outside of the forest on loot!
In the midst of our eDdeavor, night would
overtake Us again, and the wolves would
know well where 10 find us. But any hope
of The klna 10 vain. When the wolves have
assembled in snch an enormous mass as they
have done here, tney are not aIraIu or uay-
light. So long as our stock o! wood holds
GU. our fire will protect Us from any attack
from above; indeed, do no, think another
of the monsters will be bold enough 10 Try
the roof again TO night but by daylight the
flames do not make so powerful an impress
sion on them. We must summon ell our
courage and all our strength for what my then
happen, and prepare 10 defend the woman
and our own lives to the last moment. But
It will be Of no use-of no use," added he, in
tone growing fainter and fainter--"of no
use at ALL"
| had placed my whole confidence on the
return Of day; | had already imagined .ha,
we were safe at home in the castle OF my
father;-5u, now all my hopes wefe destroy.
ed--now, for the first lime, our destruction
appeared 10 me TO be ceHain--and again ell
The horrors Of despair took possession of me-
I did not dare to go near Axinia, lest she
should guess, from the disturbed state was
10, what was the truth as TO our fate; I wished
il to be kept from her as long as possible,
that she might continue 10 enjoy The feeling