The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1871-07-27

be of the party, an old legend or two,
handed down from generation to genera
ton since Russia irst became
a people; how lila Murometz fou2hs
with the Nightingale Brigand, aud how
Alexey Popovitch slew the Flying Tartar.
But these men were silent and thoughtful,
no jokes, no stories, no laughter; every
face clpuded with anx iety, every eye fixed
moodily on the ground.
And what is it, then, which made them
so gloomy Let US listen to their talk,
and perhaps We may find out.
1T is sore judgement on us!' said
one who seemed to be the host-a big,
burly man, with a tangled yellow beard.
The like has not been since the year 81,
when the wolves came right into the vii
lage, and killed nine OF our dogs IN one
nisht. But then there were many wolves,
while now it is only one that does all the
mischief; and yet, we, as many as We are,
can do nothing against him"
" And how the mischief can we do any
thing" cried second against brute
that scurries about as il he had wings9
Pounce he comes into the village, gobbles
up the first thing that comes to hand, and
off again. and you may try to recollect
his name' (This is the popular phrase for
utter disappearance
"Well, we must do something to stop it,"
said the third, grim old fellow, who had
had his lose taken off by a frost bite.
Mother AvdOtia's only COW killed last
week, poor Ivan Masloff torn to bits on
Friday, FeodoIe Nikeeiins dog snapped
up last night, and our watchman's shoulder
bitten through-brothers, we are wrong
before God if we let this go on!
An, it is all very well to say we must
do something-but who's to do it:" re-
turned the second speaker enpha,ically.
When we turn out, three or four To-
gether, the cunning rascal marks it, and
keeps off; and there's not man in the
village, | take it, that would venture upon
him single handed. Who'll try it, think
yer:"
twill"
1t was very low, quiet voice that
spoke the last words; but there was
trmness in it which no one could mis-
take. The speakers started, and looked
up. The SIKH OF The party, seated in the
farther corner near The door, had hitherto
be-, II SO quiet that they had almost forgot
ten his presence; but now every eye was
turned upon him. He was young, but
little over twenty, though his heavy mus
tache, and square, thicks> I, muscular frame
made him appear cons lderably Older. His
face was coarse aud commonplace enough
tho saiiOw, lowbrOwed, weather beaten
couutenance of the genuine Russian
peasaut; but there was a nameless some
Mshg about the broad square jaw and small,
deep set grey eye, that would have made
you pick out that man among all the six
tor any work requiring courage and per
severance. And, in truth, Vladimir koV
hI ha, nffsA
formed more than one feat which the vii
lage gossips still remembered with admir-
alton III their winter evening chat around
the tea urn.
"Ah, Vladimir Mikhailovitchl' tWalter
the son OF MichaeI cried the host, whats
this you re thinking of? You that have
only been marrisd two months, to go
making wolf S meat OF yourself ? Non
sense, lad stay at home, and take care OF
your wife, aud leave Off hunting to thCm
that's got nothing better to GOT
kOvroff answered never a word but
his features hardentd like mask of iron,
as he slowly rose to his feet. All present
knew well that when his face wore the
look that was upon it BOW they might rs
well try to move mountain as to persuade
him and they sat silent, waiting to hear
what he would say.
1ou say that Nikeetin the butcher lost
dog lat night; did the wolf eat the
whole carcass?" asked Vladimir of the
noseless man, in the quick commanding
tone Of one who knows that lie must be
obeyed.
NO; he hardly got bi of it, the ras
cal-that's one comfort! answered the
old fellow with grim chuckle. "Feodore
Stepanovitch heard the deg yelp, aid out
rushed he and his men with lights and
hatchets, and scared the brute away
AS for the dog, it lying there in his yard
now"
go, one of you, and bring it; and if
any one has sharp wood knife, let him
give it ne
1t was curious to see how absolutely this
man, the youngest and least important Of
the whole party, issued his orders; and
how unhesitatinely the rest obeyed them.
Here, as every where, the stronger mind
took the lead, and the weaker instlnctively
followed
The host produced huge, broad bladed
knife, which kovrof slung round his
neck without a word; snd, few minutes
later, the carcass Of Nikeetin's dog was
lying beside the door. Vladimir drained
his glass, and said" You tell me this
brute generally comes about midnight; so
between eleven and twelve | shall take
this carcass to the cross roads, and throw
it there as bait for him, hiding myself
behind the fence hard by. When he
comes up, shall attack him; and then
let 1t be as God wills. But you, brothers,
mind and don't say word of this to anv
one, lest my Masha Mary should hear of
it. If | gtt Oft there's nc need for her TO
know about the matter at all snd, if I'm
killed, she'll hear Of it soon enough-God
help her! and now, Alexey Nikolae-
witch, ii you can spare ME your b.d q
white, Ill take nap, to tTeshen me for
Ely work"
And few moments later, this name
less nero (himst II all unconscious of doing
anything her,ic) was sleeping As calmly as
il deadly conflict, from which he had
little or no chance of escaping, were not
awaiting him four hours later on
Midnig ght-cold, dreary, ehostly. A
dead, grim silence over the liteless village
aud lonely high road. A faint elinmer OF
moonlight, giving weird spectral look to
the halt seen outlines of the dark, silent
log huts, and making the gloomy depths
of the encirCling forest seem al the blacher
A shapeless mass lying out upon the hard
snow of the crossroads, aId Il dark figure
crouched behind fence hard By, with
something IN lis hand which glitters as
The moon falls upon i.
Weary, weary work, crouching there in
the cold and darkness, with the stiffening
fingers clutching the heavy hatchei, and
the strained ears watchful to catch the
slightest sound. HNkl was not that a
low howl from the far distances No, il
was but the wind m )sning through the
skeleton branches of the forest. Patience
yet! Hark, again and this time there is
no mistakiug the sound not the long mel
aneholy howl wherewith supperless wolf
may be heard bemoaning himself, on the
outskirts of Moscow, almost any night in
the week, but quick, snarling cry, as of
one who sees his food near at hand, and
wishes to hasten its arrival And there,
gliding ghost like over the great waste OF
snow, comes long, gsunt shadow, straight.
swift, answering, toward yonder shape
less lump of carrIon on the highway, upon
which he pounces with a fierce, worrying
snarl, that makes even the brave hear. OF
the listener stand still for moment with
involuntary horror. Now is Vla1imir's
time. TO rush out at once might scare