St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-02-26


North, and had shared some Of bis impris
Ionmeots at time when little about relig
tious liberation was known in Norway -
Many times had he traversed the country
and even penetrated far into Russian Lap
land. One whole winter he had boer
veather-bound on one of the Lofodens
Strange stories could he tell of perils BY
land and pcrils by water, shipwrecks, ano
hair breadth escapes from robbers. who
coveted his pack. :, The time passed quick
ly in listening to such narratives. The
record of this good mans life was like Q
living sermon to Hugo; the exposition o1
Gospel truth in a most inviting form. the
example If one who had practised all be
taught. =, After pause, during which
they bad been partaking of the conte, Is
Of Dame 1ngeborg's basket, Eric said, rath.
er abruptly =: ~ .~ ~
'"Ry The. bye. I heard some unpleasant
news Ct the farm l was at yesterday. They
say alarse pack Of wolves has come down
from the fields Of the northward; the ear
ly and severe winter this season is supposed
to hate driven them down. Sohe hunt
ers odt on a bear-chase a few days back
had q narrow escape; they report the
wolys. as going to the SOUTH" I
! n hope not" said Hugo; "they had
heard nothing about it at Bavensdal. No
more 4had 4 but then l came from the
contrary direction. l hope not, though
| should like it above everything if We
could muster strong party, and have
good hunt; but wolves are fearful foes to
meet upprepared.'" H.
:. URdtfned .apprehensions he could not
shas:s of, filed the young mans mind
and, after trying to talk Of other things.
he came back to the wolves, and to spec
ulations as to their position and movements,
So time sped on, and he paced up and down
with growing uneasiness he in vaia told
himself was ungrounded and absurd; and
he longed for the return of the sleigh, TO
these secret fears. Eric had
been listening intently for some minutes,
and all at once exclaimed
'There, now, hear howl -
Hugo threw himself on the snow to
hear better, and ere long heard the same
sound.
~ fear it is SO. It is far, but OH, in
he direction they have taken"
f. After some moments of intense atten-
Ion, both men satisfied themselves that it
vas not the howl Of solitary wolf, and
hat it was steadily advancing.
"Oh, tell me what we can do," cried
Hugo; "it is on. the track which leads to
he town, just the time they would be on
he road: My poor Ella, what can do"
cUnarmed as We are, it is only by re-
naming here We can be of any service, and
his is a position We can easily defend.
With that amount of FIRE wood at our back,
would defy an army of wolves. Look
he chalet stands in recess Of rock from
ooint to point we can make rampant of
ire" So saying, he Legan to arrange
agots in line from one point Of rock to
he other, leaving an open space in the
'enter. IL think, with you, young man
hat your friends are on the road, and that
be wolves are pursuing them, else we
bould not hear that continuous bowling
'earer and nearer. I am leaving this
pace for the sledge to pass the wolves
would never attempt to follow through
uch wall of fame as we can raise"
"Hist [ hear the gallop of horses"
aid Hugo, kneeling on the snow.
'tIhen set fire to the barrier. It may
'e beacon to them, and show them where
ve are.
This was done, and the bright pine .
rood flame was ere long streaming into .
he sky. /.
"Now," said. Eric, "get more fagots .
eady, for you and must be prepared to
lose up the passage Immediately the sleigh :
) safe" IL" !
But the horses" said Hugo; "will
hey pass between. two such fires as we have
ere p
"No fear they are terrified enough to I
cap ovcr'a prccip!ce, if it came in their 4
1ay-anything; everything-to escape t
hose that are after then,." -.t; ...9 s
a few minutes passed in breathless sus- a
'ence, during which the noise Of horses \
nd wolves became louder and louder.
"Ah! there they are;'' cried Hugo; 'and
he whole pack close behind. They see .
8; Andreas is ,fogging the horses.-Oh,
tod there is q great wolf close upon them! .
would give ten years Of my, life for a rifle
or one Instant. Ella is standing up she
as the riile.9 Good heavens! the wolff
ill spnng, at her. No, she, has fred .
hot him d9yn! Ny brave, Ella !; my 9
WI dear gjrly' ,. - o
Another second, and the jssleedge was in .
he haven Of refuge provided blythe fore-Ev