The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-26

voured, aud then -
His words were verified. In five minutes
time, they again heard the bsying of the pack !;
and they were soon in sight, their appetite
whetted by the taste of blood-on, on, with in
creased ardor for the chase. Again was one
shot down-again occurred the temporary lull,
and then afresh began the CHASTITY hunt.
There is but one charge more, father" said
Ella.
"We will save it as long as we can," was
Andreas's reply. And his voice was hoarse and
husky.
iii.
We left Hugo at his Good-Samaritan deed of
kindness towards the hawker. The man soon
recovered sufficiently to sit up, and give some
account of himself. AS Andreas Jansen had
supposed, he had lost his way travelling from
one farmhouse to another, and had sunk ex-
hausted into the deep slumber which generally
subsidies into death. In answer to his inquiries
as to how be had been found, he heard about
the intended drive to church, and discovered
the selfdenisl Hugo had practised in giving up
the expedition to take care of him.
81 owe you thanks, young man. You have
preferred remaining with an old pedlar in diff
cuties, to accompanying your betrothed. 1t
dull exchange"
Indeed" said Hugo, 81 am quite repaid
BY seeing you all right again. was afraid, at
first, it was all over. What narrow escape
Another half hour, we should have been too
late"
Yes, another lease of life," said the hawker,
gravely; spared little longer by the Heaven
ly Friend who has stood by my side in many
dangers during q long life Of wandering"
Let me hear your experiences. How much
you must have seen 1t will be hours before
my friends are back. Talking them over will
help while away the time"
The sketch Eric Peterman gave of his life
was indeed remarkable. He was one of those
pious men not unfrequently met with in Nor
way, who, while earning their livelihood by
hawking, are at the same time humble mission
aries, Bible and tract colporteurs, holding prayer
meetings in the villages when they can get a
congregation, and, in an unobtrusiye way, often
doing great deal of good. Like most of his
brethren, he was man of few advantages of
education, but well versed in the Scriptures,
and possessing native eloYence, combined
with the unfailing attraction of a soul thorough
ly in earnest, and ennobed by the pursuit of a
lofty and disinterested aim. He had been a
disciple of the celebrated Hauge, the John Yves.
ley of the North, and had shared some of his
imprisouments at a time when little about re-
lgious liberation was known in Norway. Many
times he had traversed the country, and even
penetrated far into Russian Lapland. One
whole winter be had been weather bound on
one of the Loffodens. Strange stories could he
tell of perils by land and perils by water, ship
wrecks, and hair breadth escapes from robbers
who coveted his pack. TIE time passed
quickly in listening to such narratives. The
record of this good mans life was like living
sermon to Hugo; the exposition of Gospel
truth In most inviting form, the example of
one who had practised all he taught After a
pause, during which they had been partaking of
the contents of Dame Ingeborg's basket, Eric
said, rather abruptly
g By the bye l heard some unpleasant news
at the farm | was at yesterday. They say a
large pack of wolves has come down from the
ields to the northward the early and severe
winter this season is supposed to have driven
them down. Some hunters out on bear-chase
few days back had a narrow escape; they re-
port the wolves as going to the south"
" hope not" said Hugo; "they had heard
nothing about it at Ravansdal. No more had
/ {; but then came from the contrary direction
hope not, though should like it above every
thing if we could muster q strong party, and
have good hunt but wolves are fearful foes
to meet unprepared."
Underlined approximations he could not shake
off filled the young mans mind and, after try
ing TO talk of other things, he came back to the
wolves, and to speculations as to their position
and movements. So time sped on, and he paced
up and down with growing uneasiness be in
vain told himself was ungro unded and absurd
and he longed for the return of the sleigh, tc
terminate these eecret fears. Eric had beer
listening intently for come minutes, and all al
once exclaimed
"There, now | hear how'll"
Hugo threw himself on the snow to hear bet
ter, and ere long heard the same sound.
81 fear it is Sc. 1t is far, but, oh, in the
same direction they have taken"
After come moments of intense attention
both men satisfied themselves that it was mo-
the howl of solitary wolf, and that it wa:
steadily advancing.
"Oh, tell me what we can do" cried Hugo
" it is on the track which leads from the town
Just the time they would be on the road. Ny
poor Ella, what can / do?"
Unnamed as we are, it is only by remaining
here we can be of any service, and this is 6
position we can easily defend. With tina
amount Of frewood at our back, / would defy
an army of wolves. Look the chalet stand.
in recess of rock from point to point we car
make rampant Of fire." So saying, he begar
to arrange fagots in line from one point o.
rock to the other, leaving an open space in the
centre. l think, with you, young man, that your
friends are on the road, and that the wolves are
pursuing them, else we should not hear tha
! continuous bowling nearer and nearer. / an
leaving this space for the sedge to pass the
wolves would never dare TO attempt to follow
through such wall of flame as we can raise
Hist l hear the gallop of horses" sale
Hugo, kneelirg on the snow.
C Il 4
beacon to them, and show them where we are.
This was done, and the bright pinewoot
fame was ere long streaming into the sky.
"Now," said Eric, get more fagots ready
for you and must be prepared to close up the
passage Immediately the sleigh is safe"
But the horses" said Hugo, "will they
pass between two such fires as we have here p
"No fear they are terrified enough to leaE
over precipice, if it came in their wsy-any
thing, everything-to escape those that ART
after them"
few minutes passed in breathless suspense
during which the noise of horses and wolves
became louder and louder.
"Ahl there they are" cried Hugo, "and tn,
whole pack close behind. They see US; An
dreas is foggipg the horses. Oh, God Their.
is great wolf close upon them l would Civ,
ten years of my life for rifle for one instant
Andreas dares not leave the reins. Ella il
standing up; she has the rife. Good heavens
the wolf will spring at her. No, she has fred
shot him down! My brave Ellsl my own dea
girl /"
Another second, and the sledge was in tn.
haven of refuge provided by the forethought O
the pedlar, from the ruthless wolves, behint
the barrier of flames. The exhausted horses
had stopped of themselves the Jansens wer,
beneath the shelter of the chalot half 60; nt;no
scarcely crediting their preservation. As sool
as he could speak, the farmer said, in a tremu
lous tone, Wife, children, let us thank God +
| and. knaelinn With tho taara xoll;xn dou,a u