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


man dwelling. But how vain were m
calculations This time they did no
remain near so long with their dead com
panion as the first; L had scarcely tim
to reload before they were after US again
at is all of no use" whispered Roskt
to me; the horses cannot last much Ion
ger, and then we are lost.
And it is true that by this time ther,
was visible decrease in the strength o
our horses; their breathing became al
anxious gasping, anil their pace un
steady. They did their best, for they
knew the blood thirsty destroyers were
at our heels, and that only speed could
save US; but their powers were becom
ing more and more exhausted. Often
had one or other of them already fallen
on its knees and then sprung up again
with a desperate effort. We were, in
deed, in fearful situation; trembled
for Axinia's life, not for my own. My
balls brought down a few more of our
pursuers, but that no longer disturbed
them in their chase. They were now
close behind us; their heavy breathing
was more distinctly heard. 1 could see
their savage, fiery eyes. And what a
multitude was there of them My last
charge was exploded, and I now pos
sessed no means of defence against an at
tack of the ferocious animals, except my
two pistols, which had not yet been fred
off, my hunting knife, and the butt end
of my rife. This Rosko had remarked
"There is still one hope left," said
he: II remember to have seen on our
way here an uuinhabited hunters hut,
which cannot now be far off. If we can
succeed in reaching it we are safe for
the present if not, the wolves will tear
US to pieces, and relieve their fierce hun
ger with our flesh. If it comes to that.
SIR" continued he with a trembling
voice, "then-you still have the load
ed pistols-then be compassionate, and
give your sister speedy death, that she
may not die by inches under the teeth
of the wolves
l started in speechless silence at the
old man; tear ran down his check !;
without speaking, he looked at me, and
nodded his head, as if by that means to
add force to what he had said. Never
shall forget that moment A shud-
der ran through my veins looked in
to the innocent face of my sister; /
turned my eyes in desperation towards
heaven it seemed to me that deliver
anee ought to come, and must come,
from above to that pure and pi3us being
who forgot all her early dangers in her
resignation to the will Of the Almighty.
Then the painting and trampling came
closer to US, and I saw that the fore
most of the creatures had reached US,
and that they seemed to be smelling our
carriage, as If they wished first to see of
what the freight consisted before they
made the attack With my left hand
seized the ready cooked pistol, and with
searching glance looked at the head
of my sister, in order to select that part
where death would reach her the surest
and quickest. My right hand had me-
chanically drawn my hunting-knife. A
veil of blood appeared to be drawn over
my sight. and through the blood / be-
held the praying Axlnia, the hungry
wolves and the wide waste of snow
Then one of the creatures got nearer to
our sleigh it gave frightful spring to
clear it's side, but my hunting knife
caught in the flank as it sprang, aud it
fell dead before it reached u.s. Axinia
had sunk in terror by the side of the
lady's maid who had long since been
covering in the bottom of the sleigh.
"Well done I'' cried Rosko to me,
with all the spirit of a yourg man,
"Spare your powder, and use your knife !!
I can see the hut now Hold out lit
tie longer, and then we shall be secure"
Then the bloody veil fell from my eyes,
aud it became again light within me and
around. Rosko fogged the horses un-
mercifully, and once more the faithful
beasts made incredible exertions; it
seemed as if they felt that this was the
last piece of service they should ever
render their masters, and were therefore
willing to put forth their last strength.
In the meantime, I had put the pistol
in my breast-pocket aud stood upright,
with the gun stock held up my hand
ready to strike. Whether it was that
threatning attitude made an impression
on our pursuers or whether tho accele-
rated speed of our horses was the cause,
1 know not; but SO it was we began to
leave the savage monsters little behind
and we gained slight, but in our stu
alton invaluable, advantage over them
1 looked around me. There stood the
hut: the door was open, aud Rosko gave
cry of joy and with powerful hand
he drew up the horses, and then sprang
from his seat, saying eve are here
we are here Quickly cut, and into the
hut; there's not moment to be lost !"
But already had Axinia, with wonderful
energy sprung out of the sleigh and into
the hut: Rosko followed her. carving