Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-13

| had been waiting nearly week for |
a pleasant day to present itself, that |
might go to the village to procure the |
provisions which we were seriously be- ,
ginning to need but each day seeired
destined to be ollowed by one still m,re
severe.
had just told Nellie that l should try
to ride "Billy our noble horse which
we had brought with us from the East
to MELVILLE, rather than to run the risk
Of waiting for the storm to abate, when
she made the expostulation which
mentioned at The commencement this
story.
tried to reason away my wife's fears,
and as she gave Il reluctant assent, drew
en- my outer clothing, and strapping
sack across Billy" mounted him and
rode away.
The wind was at my bac': but I had
a rough time of it, reaching the village
just about four o'clock in the afternoon.
L had been expecting small sum of
money from the East; a rad debt which
had left in the hands of an attorney
when | stat ted 70. the West, and who,
several weeks before had written mc
that he had got clue upon some con-
cealed property, and thought that he
could collect the entire amount of the
obligation. He had decided to send it
by Express. and had been looking for
it for some time, but had at last cOnclud-
ed that he had failed in his exI ecta-
tions of reaching it.
Upon arriving Mt the village i went
directly to the Post Office, and calling
for my mail was rejoiced to receive
among other matter, large Express
envelope addressed to Edward Watson,
MELVILLE p. O., - Co., Mimi, with
nh Il t1,o \
hastily transferred it to my inner coat
pocket and turning encountered pair of
glittering black eyes, attentively obser-
wing my movements. RECOGNIZING
Thomas Gordon, l passed the compli-
ments OF the evening with him, and
with several of the villagers also who
were present, and soon liter left the Of
flee. Proceeding to a provision store,
made my purchases, and entered into a
spirited conversation on the engrossing
topic of the War, with the merchant, n
brisk sharp eyed New Highlander.
Some time elasped while we were thus
engaged, and after noting the flight of
time, l arose with the remark that had
ucgcd me to stay with him until morn
ing but l told him that had left Nellie
alone and she would be frightened
should l stay away. l securely fasten
i: e to my horse the articles which
had bought, mounted him and turned
hOmeward with light heart.
"Look out for the wolves, Watson :"
said my companion. II understand
that large pack of them have been seen
neaf the Dawson woods about twenty
miles south of here
Never fear" 1 replied, laughing
lightly. "Billy is fleet and we can out
wit them any time" aud bidding him
goodnight rode away.
1t had ceased showing, and the stars
shone out here and there between the
| O sunshine in dark forest. The wind
was blowing fiercely from the north.
west almost directly in my face, and the
light snow was scudding before it like
dry leaves in an Autumn gale, and filled
my face ever, and anon, with its cold
touch that sent shiver all over me 1t
had grown cold very fast since dark, but
was in fine health and spirits, dressed
warmly, and was we'll pref red
to endure the blast of a Winter
night. Soon after passing the habisa-
ton of the Gordon Brothers, the only
house on the whole route. l assembled a
bluff or higher ground and as l rose to
the summit the piercing blast wept
| dSdlISI Ille Will u upuDAc lOTCe anu l.
was obliged to exert all my energies to
keep from freezing.
After gaining the height, the trail eX-
TENDED along for near y mile, besides
heavy forest which swept miles away
to the southeast beyond the river.
urged my horse, when he lowered his
head, as if looking for the trail, then
partially halted and extended his nos
trils, as if in fear, when suddenly two
forms sprang up from the snow close
beside me, and selling the animal on
either side by the bit, held him fast and
sternly demanded my money in q voice
which instantly recognized as belong
ing to Thomas Gordon.
Being half frozen, and knowing that
resistan &c would be useless, prOceede
evening received, when suddenly, strik-
ing our quickened ears came n sharp
howl, proceeding from the contiguous
wood, which need be heard but once to
be remembered lifetitre.
In less time than it takes to record
this, the cry of the wolf had been an
swcred and reanswered till other terriers
were lost for the moment, and night
was made hideous by their fearful cries
Terrified, the assassins stood for mo-
ment as If pell-bound, but soon recov.
ering the elder exclaimed in fearful
tone:
my God, Jasper! we must kill Wat
son to save our lives, for the cursed
wolves will be here in a IN mute !"
Drawing murderous looking knife
the demoniacal william sprang onward
to execute his avowed purpose, when,
with terrible struggle my horse freed
himself from his antagonists and plum
ged madly forward.
The howlings sounded nearer, when
suddenly the horse, over which I had
no control, losing the trail, plunged into
dry gGlch or ravine and lay founder
ing in the snow. Several minutes
elapsed ere we regained our feet and the
higher ground, when looking away to
the east l could see the figures of the