The true Democrat., 1857-03-17
MO-. 23..

 pointmeut which was certain the capacities of the wolves sharpened as they were by a few miles of healthful exercise Waiting until the lightning would enable me to see the leader, snatched off my hat and dashed it at him, with a blessing in California parlance, at the same time using my spurs. We soon had the track to ourselves although the somewhat laboring pace of my mare gave the first evidence of her waning energies. Still 1t was sufficiently rapid to satisfy me, and by the time half milo was passed over the enemy were fully three hun dred yards behind Their rage was increased ten-toId at finding neither flesh or blood in the "old beauer," and they were mauiiesting It by chorus ln comparison with which their former efforts were mere prelude. Not waiting for any closer demonstration of their wrath, we commenced descending the hill
 The sagacious brute as it conscious that the goal was near, redoubed her exertons aad plunged on through the darkness at a winning pace; the base of the hill was reached, and 1 gave vent to my feelings in heartfelt shout. l thought 1t strange that neither light or sound was to be seen or heard, and when my repeated calls remained unanswered, the thought for the first time flashed across my mind, that the camp might have been moved. My mare com menced neighiug wildly, but there came back
 
 the unwelcome belief that there was no living thing nearer than the wolves With this con viction came the thought that my fate was sealed, and feeling of apathy crcpt over me, rendering me almost incapable of thought or action How far the train had moved ahead 1 know not-it might be one mile, or iG might be twenty. Before mo was road, the nature of which l was entirely ignorant of, and every step Tn the darkness might be fraught with danger; behind me were legion of savage beasts in hot pursuit, thirsting for my blood. To go back was impossible; to remain where 1 was would result Ill certain death, and a sepuChre in thy maws of the wolves; the only alternative left was to go ahead In attempting this 1 found no little difficulty, as my mare was unwilling to move, and 1t was only by liberal use of the spurs that could force her from the spot The disappointment which had almost annihi- lated hope in my own breast, had seemingly destroyed ill the faithful animal all her enel- gles and when, after encouraging her with my voice, l succeeded in arousing her into a lope, iC was with labored efforts, which plainly toi that she had already given all her gallant blood would spare. The road was ascending, and twice before we reached the top of the hill, she staggered, and reeled as she would have fallen, and only recovered by desperate effort The
 
 hundred yards, and ceased to pursue the chase in silence, but each seemed to do his utmost to swell the internal chorus which rose on either side. Every moment their impudenqe ncre;.~- ed, and no longer keeping their distance, they crowded closely around; at each flash of light ming could see their blazing eyes, glistening teeth, and gasplng jaws, upward turned, as if in readiness to gulp their prey.
 To increase if possible, the horrors of my situation, the storm came down in its widest fury; the rain, driven in floods by the wind, blinded my eyes, and thumped most uncorl- torJable tattoo on my uncovered head. The roaring thunder, vivid lightning rushing winds, dashng rain, and yelling wolves were all com mingled and created pandemonium of sights and sounds The emotions of my mind at the time of d nature difficult to describe was fully sensible of the dangers which sur rounded me, and of the terrible fate 10 which l seemed inevitably doomed. The memories of life rushed in rapid succession through my brain; things that for years had been buried ill oblivion came up as fresh and vivid as though they had transpred but yesterday. The past and present alone seemed to occupy my atten- ton; of the future had not thought, and even when death appeared most certain, 1 was engaged Ill specu Iating upon the probable dis
 
 the chances of giving the wolves leg bail when that event should take place At this time wo had reached the top of the hilI and the mare came to full stop; her dropping head, hurried breathing, ahl papitating heart evuced the extent oi the struggle she had made She had done all she could, and WAS not sufficiently heartless to Use any unnecessary cruelty in forcing her to any further excrtiOn. For the first time in our long panionship, she refus- ed an attempt to obey my voice. and my de- termination was, that when the time came we would 90 together.
 The storm had swept bv as short lived as it was herce, and the cOmmouon over head had ceased; my sight in vain endeavored to pierce the gloom ln search of some friendly camp fire, that would give hope of succor and shelter; nothing WAS to be seen or heard to bud a hope upon. The wolves of course had come to a halt with ourselves, and formed complete cir cle around us, from which there seemed no es- cape. The character tf their bowling had somewhat changed, and each note ended with succession of short barkings and quick snap ping of the jaws, which sounded very much like tokens of satisfaction. One bolder than the rest made d hash and brushing its nose against my foot, left the impress of its teeth in the hard wood of which my stlrraps were made, and second seized the end of my blan- ket, which Was thrown once around my body, and gave 1t pull which nearly threw me from my saddle. now thought of a ruse, by which to make diversion in my favor, and gain d moments respite. Gathering the blanket into ball 1 threw it as far as l could from me; in an instant the circle was broken, and the red Mackinau in the midst of whirlpool of angry growls and fierce snarlings. W hile casting my thoughts about as to what else 1 could dispose of il the same manner, my attention was di- fected to the mare, who with head erect was snuif1lnS the cool breeze as it swept the valley beneath. In another moment we were lunginp ahead over the brow of the hill
 " hat It was that had so opportunely infused new life into the beast 1 could not tell 1t was satisfaction, however, to feel her once more bounding beneath me with all the spring and action of her former sef and my conclusion was that she had been bitten, and maddened by pain and terrOr she was making death struggle to rii Us of our foes. Determined to make the most of it, 1 made no effort to check her headlong speed; pressing the saddle closely, and bracing my feet well forward, 1 lifted her by the bits at every plunge. Half a mile was passed, and we were on level ground; the soil was softened by the recent rains, and the roads were heavy, but her pace increased rather than diminished. On came the wolves, and on went the mare Hope again supplanted de- spair, ard without knowing why, conviction took hold of me that would yet escape An- other quarter of mile, and just as the wells of batfied rage, from my pursuers, were ringing sharply in my ears, dashed among horses, cat tie and wagons, in the midst of the camp and was safe
 A PRECIoUs SwINDLEE.--A fine looking. genteel well dressed individual, who has been fourishing at first class hotel for several days under the cognomen of Col. Winston, d felatiye