The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-09-16


the fields to the northward the early
and severe winter this season is sup
posed to have driven them down.
Some hunters out on bear chase, a
few days back, had a very narrow es-
cape they report the wolves as going
to the south"
II hope not, said Hugo "they had
heard nothing about it at Ravensdal
no more had /, but then came from
the contrary direction 1 hope not,
though [ should like it above every
thing if we could muster strong party
and have good hunt but wolves are
fearful foes to meet unprepared.'
Underlined apprehensions he could
not shake off, filled the young mans
mind, and, after trying to talk Of other
things, he came back to the wolves, and
to speculations as to their positions
and movements. So time sped on, and
he paced up and down with a growing
uneasiness he in vain told himself was
ungrounded and absurd, and belonged
for the return of the sleigh to term
mate these secret fears. Eric had been
listening intently for some minutes, and
all at once exclaimed, "There, now, l
hear a howl"
Hugo threw himself on the snow to
hear better, andere long hears the
same sound.
81 fear-I fear it is so it is far off,
but oh, in the same direction they have
taken"
After some moments Of intense at
tention both men satisfied themselves
that it was not the howl Of a solitary
wolf, and that it was steadily adyanc-
ing.
ooh, tell me, what can we do, cried
Hugo sit is on the track which leads
from the town, just the time when they
would be on the road. My poor Ella,
what can do? ?"
"Unarmed as we are, it is only by re-
naming here we can be Of any service,
and this is position we can easily de-
, fend With that amount Of firewood
: at our back, 1 would defy an army Of
wolves. Look the chalet stands in a
recess Of rocks ; from point to point
we can make a rampant Of fire" Sc
> saying, he began to arrange fagots in
! line from one point Of rock to the
other, leaving an open space in the
/ center Il think with you, young man
F that your friends are Oh the road, and
that the wolves are pursuing them
else we should not hear that contin-
uous bowling nearer and nearer. I am
leaving this space for the sledge tl
pass the wolves would never dare t(
attempt to follow through such wal
!. of flame as we can raise.
"Hist, hear the gallop of horse
, said Hugo, kneeling on the snow.
"Then set fire to our barrier i
may be beacon to them, and show
them where we are"
This was soon done, and the bright
pinewood flame was ere long stream
, ing into the sky.
"Now," said Eric, "get more fagot
;. ready, for you and must be prepared
. to close up the passage immediatel,
> the sleigh is safe"
But the horses, said Hugo evil
they pass between two such fires as W
! have hele?"
''No fear they arc terrified enough
. to leap over a precipice if it came il
! their way anything, everything
escape those that are after them"
A few minutes passed in breathles
. suspense, during which the noise Q
horses and wolves became louder am
!, louder.
= "Ah! there they are cried Hugo
"and the whole pack close behind
. They see us ; Andreas is hogging tn
horses. 0 God there is a great vol
close upon them-oh, I'would give te
= years of my life for a rifle for one in
slant. Andreas dares not leave til
" reins. Ella is standing up she la
. the rifle. Good heavens the wolf wi
spring at her No, she has fired
Il shoot him down-my brave Ella, N
=, . own dear girl"
II Another second, and the sledge wa
j. in the haven Of refuge provided by TIA
. forethought Of the pedlar, safe froi
t. the ruthless wolves, behind the barrie
O. of flame Beaiieys Miscellany.
'e CHARACTER Is PowER 1t is often sal
that knowledge is power end this