Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-01-29

to the south Gcrtruda directed her gaze in
the direction Indicated and after Il long scru-
tiny OF the scud that swept over the horizon,
perceived what might have been mistaken for
the hull of ship, which parallel with them
selves, seemed stationary ON the verge of the
waste. At length she was enabled to make
out a slcdgc and four reindeer through a break
in the scud as it was for a moment defined
against the lcadcn sky beyond. The pleasure
which Gcrtruda derived from the knowledge
of her husbands presence, was quickly ban
shcd when she saw Tucta turn his deer in
course that would bring him directly across
her husbands track, especially when she
looked at the deadly weapon he held in read
incSs. These feelings were excited to the
kcrncst terror when she observed the other
slcdgo put about, and the two vehicles RAPIDLY
convcrging. When within few furlongS Of
each other. Tucta raised his rifle and fired
at the same moment, the pulta again flew
round and the animals bounded like the wind
on their former course Instantancously with
the discharge, the leading deer of the ap-
preaching Slcdgc sprang into the air, and fell
dead among it, companions. To cut the har-
moss and throw out the lifrlcsS deer, rc-arringo
his team and once more follow the pursuit.
was but the work of Il few seconds: and Ger
truda had the satisfaction to know that her
husband was unhurt and again in motion ON
their trail.
Familiar with all tho bearings of the
snowy desert. and confident of his route.
Tucta never for a moment doubted his being
able to battle all pursuit. But he had t.
deal with man cv ry whit as rrsolutc as
himself; and what might have been a sue
ccssfu stratagrm under other circumstances,
l.. III ;,a oln,+ ,-b,,, h,-a
was exhibited by Christopher Strinhoff. who
was personally as Indifferent to danger as the
wtch-insprcd Lap clf-Though the
death of his deer somewhat delayed him. vet
he was again upon the track. sooner than
Tucta could have believed possible; with his
rifle on his knees he urged on the chase with
the utmost speed Of his untiring deer But
50 uncertain was the drifting scud that it
became necessary for both mon to keep n
largo space between them as possible, till
one or other could fire with advantage.
" Herr Christopher is swift" observed
Tucta TO Gcrtruda, IS his eye caught her has
bands slcdgc looming through the haze
" but it shall avail him nothing T'-A
flash or red flame lcared from the side Of the
dimlv soon slodgC as he spoke, and a bullet
whirod in the air. With deep frown. the
Lap instantly reversed his rife, and drew a
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io.I5J .oi "ui "',
aa;d ,.;nd;a,i,a1,' Lo ,,,,L 't,
,..o ;Ii tt" k '',,',',. I t'' WV. .,,
,,i' H. dios :, ''''-'' '''
"'" ,,
Wy hospand eNclalncd ,iertruda IN
terror spare hlm-Spare him.
" liark ~ he cried abruptly; " the
wolves bark over the dead deer they will
cat his flesh too, and the snow will bury his
bones. Look :" and turning the direction Of
his deer, the pulta flew round, and held
course in the track of the sledec, which the
next moment was seen bursting out of
dense scud, bearing down in full career, with
such an impetus, that all Tueta's skill was
needed to avoid a collision. They dashed
past with n velocity that carried them again
beyond the sight or sound of each other but
at the instant of recognition, and while in
midway, both mon leyelled their rifles. and
fired; and though Gcrtruda strovo to dis
cover whether her husband was hurt, such
WAS the speed at which they flew, that the
slcdge was beyond her sight before She could
form an opinion. Tucta was apparently un-
harmed, for he directly reloaded his piece,
and stood silent and motionlc.s, as the pulta
dashed onward on its altered course.
At length, as if awaking from a dream,
the Lap shook his head, and looked kecnly
around the horozon. Not discovering the
object he started in an opposite direction with
rcdJubled speed. After many bends and un-
successful tacks over the pathlcss snow, his
practiscd eye at last discovered the slcdrr