Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-11-08

Isupper provided for his master. On his
return he urged us to start directly. Th
ladies were wrapped still more warmly il
furs and hoods, while had an immense fu
coat assigned to me, the outside being 0
sheepskin. Emily, my youngest daughter
declared that looked exactly like polar
bear raised upon his hind legs But to oul
dismay we found that our extra wraps ha6
so increased our size that it was next tc
impossible to wedge myself into the car
riage What was to be done? began
to take off my coat, but Vassilievitsch OBJ
jected:
Il would be sure to require it. Besides,
he added, "would it not cause remarks tC
see carriage crowded to that extent with
lords and ladies', and no Servant to attend
upon them? Could not my lord personate
servant, and stay outside the carriage p
To this l agreed willingly. Vassile.
vitsch told me that | would find pipes, to.
cacco and cigars in the hamper, benea
the seat, and few other things which
might require.
At last we were off at a rattling pace
The Counts horses were first-rate, and they
were well driven; but the night grew cold
er and colder Anxiety of mind seemed to
have deadened my external feeling, and
only dreaded the want of horses. Imagine
my delight, when we arrived at the post
stage, to find four horses in readiness. The
Count had ordered one of his people to ride
on, and give notice of our coming upon bu.
siness Of Importance. had now recourse
to the cigars beneath the seat and a small
lantern showed me a most heterogeneous
mass of articles brace of pistols and
ammunition were amongst the number, and
| thankful | was to see them, as | determin-
ed sell my life dearly if we were pursued.
We continued our journey during the fol-
lowing day, the weather continuing fine
| though cold. A great deal of snow had fall
Pen during the past week, and the roads
were heavy in consequence ; toward night,
the wind began to moan in a threatening
manner. At the post house we were strong
ly recommended to remain all night, as the
next stage was through large wood which
was frequented by wolves, and the innkeep-
er told US that several oxen had suffered
from them, though he did not think that
they would dare to attack carriage. Time
was too precious for us to spare it for rest;
so said we must continue our journey at
all risks. Dispatches of consequence were
III the carriage We hurried on, for the
wolves were on all sides, making the most
horrid noise
We made but slow progress. At last we
came to dead stop. | disentangled my
self as well as was able from all my furs,
and jumped to the ground. A tree had fall
en- down across the narrow road Ivan
then got hatchet, and began to cut the
N, that fbic OF ha fnIiNro
business, and trembled for the result. The
wolves seemed to be creeping nearer and
nearer, and they might attack our horses
at any moment. I took the hatchet from
Ivan's hands. and begged him to look after
his cattle but had soon to relinquish it,
that | might answer the questions of the
women One of them was sure that the
wolves were near.
a am afraid So" was the reply; that
is the reason we are 50 hurried about the
tree if we can only keep them at dis
tance till the passage is free, l have no
fear"
"Make fire." cried one of the girls
" that is the way they frighten lions and
tigers"
" Yes, but lions and tigers usually reside
in hot countries where sticks are dry" an
swered "but | will speak to our driver
about it."
found him holding, with difficulty, the
startled and frightened animals, and inquir-
ed whether fire would be practicable.
"The best thing that can be done," said
he "get everything you can spare from
the carriage, and if once you can get a
blaze, the tops may kindle" 1858
n I'll
determined to be useful and so | left it to
them, and worked hard at the tree, whilst
Ivan instructed my daughters the lid of
box and some straw were soon ignited,
and not a bit too soon. The wolves had
drawn so near that we could hear them
snarling as they hustled one another. But
my work was nearly done the horses
were fastened strongly to the trees, and
Ivan assisted me in lifting the wood
When once the road was clear, we start
ed my wife had given Ivan bottle of
brandy, and put another ON my seat and
much we needed it, for the cold was intense.
Before long the driver told me one of his
horses was lame he could not keep up
with the others. AS our speed diminished
our enemies crept nearer. | thought of
the mask. | had kicked under the sea-, land
l remembered the old schoolboy dodge by
frightening ones friends by putting light
within it. My little9antern would be the
very thing fastened it to the mask, and
waited till the wolves drew nearer, and
then threw it in front of them The hall
starved brutes were startled they could
not make it out The mask had fortunate
ly fallen so that the light shone through the
eyes and mouth, and saw them stop the
foremost went up to it, but seemed afraid
to touch it. But the wolves in the rear
were impatient, and pushed the others on
one fell upon the mask, and evidently crush
ed the lantern, for the light went out, and
again the wretches were in pursuit.
"We cannot be saved" said Ivan, al
length "unless you can think of something
| else"
"If had but a rope )" shouted, u might
do something" ...
s'Then catch this" he answered. and
threw good-sized piece over the top of the
carriage II brought it in case the har
ness broke"
Ipulled off my long boot, which was lin
ed with sheepskin, with band of fur round
the top, and prayed, as fastened the rope
securely round the instep, that our hungry
foes might mistake it for trap. / theI