Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-03-24


painting horses once more bounded be
meath the lash.
Il. was a gloomy, deep defile through
the mountains, that Robert Lee in his
wild spirits had chosen after the separa-
ton, in order to reach home more quick
] ly. The rays Of the moon strug Cling
through the branches of the ebony frs
and spectral forest trees, as their gnarled
naked limbs met over head caused shud
der to creep over the timid Helen, as,
casting a fearful glance at the dismal for
est, and messy gray rocks around her
she covered closer to the side Of her 10y
er, begging him to hasten.
Fear nothing, dearest" replied Rob
ert, at the same time applying his lash
| know every inch of ground around
there is not rock but have climbed in
my hunting expeditions"
As he spoke, far off kouna like
woman's moaning wall, breTe on the still
ness, for Lee had taken off the bells to
deceive their companions. Helen's cheek
tblanched as she listened, and cried
Z" 1t is, it must be some Of cur friends in
EdistressP
No, no,' hastily replied Robert. urg
ling on the foaming horses. It's but the
screech of an owl, so banisn your fears,
| little one. and look at yon peerless moon,
twas on such a bright night as this, my
Helen, year ago, that you raise your
innocent eyes to mine, with the moon
cleaning full ia your face, aud told me
you would be mine own little wife One
more week darling, and you will redeem
your word p
Again the mournful wall was borne on
! the breeze, and this time seemed echoed
again aud again. Lees stern lip culver
ed aud his cheek paled, as he eagerly
scanned the dark, rocky sides of the
mountains, and the shadowy trees, while
bis conitausoA steaeing u - ~ 1ot
what, chung still closer y Us Tide
Robert dashed the horses into a swiGter
gallop, and they sped silently on through
that seemingly intermlnable delile.
Again the discordant sounds burst up
on their ears this time evidently nearer
than they were before, Robert eagerly
whispering:
Fear nothing, love, they cannot harm
you, It's only the owls or wild cats. Do
uot tremble so.n
Robert Robert r. shrieked the ago
nized girl, You cannot deceive me the
aoolUes eupon as They scent our track
Great God merciful Providencel see,
see, they are upon as
And there winding down the steep side
OF the mountain, leaping eagerly from
crag to crag. came the gaunt half starved
horde, filling the air with their discord-
ant bowls. Swifter few the maddened
horses, whose instincts taught them the
blood thirsty foe was near, while Helen
half fainting, incapable ~5f speaking,
shrank closer to Lee, who inwardly ours
ing his mad folly for leading himi so
lonely spot, unarmed, could only lash
the frantic steeds, and endeayor to COM
fort poor Helen.
On they came, the ravenaus gang, gain.
ing each moment upon the unhappy oc-
cupants OF the sleigh. Helen eating one
horror stricken glance behind, could
already discern the glistening white
fangs, the fiery red eyes Of their lean pur-
suers. 1t was race for life and death 4
The bells and buffalo robes were alter
natey thrown out, to divert them, if but
for moment from the pursuit, but furi
Gus with repeated appointments, the
savage animals renewed the chase with
redoub.ed vigor. The falling horses
lstroye their utmost, but the wolves were
| almost upon them. A moment more, and
the largest and fiercest Of the pack was
at the side Of the low cutter, his paws
were upon the edge, when. sharp cut
from L6es whip aeross-Shc fpce, left lllm
behind for few seconds, bs<ft with q how
OF rage the furious beast once more gain.
ed upon them. Lee then made vain at.
tempt to free one Of the horses from his
harness. as victim to assuage the appe
tite Of the wolves but it was too late.
In vain the wretched man essayed to de-
/ tend hinselSwith his whip. They were
FALL upon him their sharp faugs buried
! IN his hands, his arms, his throat, his
breast. OIL the agony of that moment,
as his savage foes, midst fierce snarling
and wrangiing tore him from the sleigh !
His happy home, his aged parents, and
more than all, his worshipped Helen. who
having lost all consciousness was living
senseless at the bottom Of the sleigh-aIl
these fo-d reaolections rose in the vista
of memory in that one moment of horrible
agony.
4 The noble horses reused to new exer-
tons by the fierce howlsa and yelps behind
them, renewed their Tagging speed, aud
turning sharp angle, a few minutes more
found them within the pfecints Of the vii
t lage, exhausted almost before the we'll
known door Of the Gre5s.
! The wandering party who had reached
home some time previous, and had been
wonderingly watching for the tardy low
ers, hurried forth with many a jest aud
2 merry laugh but stopped short on view
ing the apparently empty sleigh, the pant.
ing horses, their glistenng sides covered
with foam, their distelded nostriis and
trembling limbs eyincilg their frightfal
: agitation. Ia the bottom Of the sleigh
G llav brd1lol fhn, l,.L4 h.-.& ~. ,rfn