Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-03-21

| AFTER some urging, consented to
| comply with his request, and accord
| inglv Jennie and L quickened oul
| speed, gradually leaving Gerald farther
| and farther behind.
"Now, for the first time since We
commenced our return, Jennie spoke
''Fred," she said, 81 feel a strange
presentiment that something terrible
viii result from this adventure I wisi
Gerald was here, fear something may
happen to him.
"I shall hasten to his assistance.
darling replied, ''as soon as I see
ycu safely provided for"
E'This ended the conversation, until
we reached the shore shortly after,
when she entreated me to return to the
aid of her brother, declaring her
ability to proceed home alone, where
she would make known our situation,
and have assistance sent to Us. In
compliance with her wish, I immedi-
ate1y set out on my return to Gerald.
"The moon having become some
what obscured by clouds, and not
being able to discern objects at any
distance. gave aloud holloo, which,
to my great delight, was promptly an
swered by Gerald.
Steering my course thereby. I soon
came within sight of him. With a
large stick, which he had evidently
picked up near the shore, he was beat
ing back four large wolves, the fiercest
of the pack. while near him, lying on
the ice, / beheld three more, appa-
rently dead. 1 also noticed small
stream of blood trickling down his face.
"While taking in this survey, / was
hurrying with all speed toward him,
yet undecided by what means to aid
him, for / had no weapons of any kind,
not even a stick, whereby to assist in
driving off the cowardly brutes; for it
is only in strength Of numbers they are
bold.
''Whlle still rushing on, and when few
yards from Gerald, two or three of the
largest wolves sprang simultaneously
upon him. The club which he held in
his hands went crashing through the
brain of one of them, but the other
fastened on his breast and bore him
backward with great force to the ice.
Fortunately coming up at that mo-
ment, seized the stick, which had
fallen from Gerald's grasp, and giving
the wolf blow which made him re-
lease his hold, and scamper howling
away, was just in time to repel q
furious charge made by the two re-
naming wolves. Gerald had been
knocked senseless by his fall, and l
was left 10 battle alone with nv re-
morseless antagonists: with no eve
save the Alm;ghty's 30 witness the
unequal combat.
':How Ing I stood there, repelline
their united attacks, I know nat: ali
distinctly remember is standing over
the irostrate body OF Gerald Walters,
with a club in my hands, incessantly
striking, now in one direction, now il
another, until my arms hecame almost
araiyzed, and my breath game quick
and hot. J. felt / could not stand it
much Longer; still the desire for life
was strong within me-, and despair lent
E1c strength. With mighty effort l
sprung ut one OF the wolves, and before
he could avoid it crushed in his skull
With ono blow OF the club. Now there
le1nalped but oiie to dispose Of, but in
my already weak condition tbs odds
were terribly against ma.
Then came - saint remembrance
OF a ;sl1lYae. on the part Of the wolf; q
-,lz:ss: contested struggle, succeeded by
s gathering darkness, and ali was
blank.
Cone morning [ opened my eyes to
iinJ my room darhened, and every
thing wearing sombre aspect; and,
though the day was well advanced, as
| could see by the Struggling rays of
hight wLlon cTept IN through the half
closed blinds, the stiffness of death
throughout the house.
Upon attempting to rise from the
bed on which lay, wondering at my
Protractea sleep, ! was astonished to
find myself too weak to do so. Glanc;ng
around, perceived all the appurte-
nances of q sick chamber; and me-
chanically putting my hand to my
forehead, found it was tightly ban
daged my left arm was also ban
DANCED
''SlQWly the remembrance of that
Fearful night came back with painful
from the first premonitory
howl of the wolf to the moment, when
torn and bleeding, r became un-
Thus ] accounted for
my weakness. and the feeling of gen.
eral stl afiess and soreness which I felt.
but the funeral silence which pro
vailed through the house stiu remained
"Whlla puzaling my brain in vain
conjecture, the door opened softly and
Gerald Walters entered, dressed in
suit OF black, and his face wearing a
gloomy, troubled look.
Good morning, Fred be said, on
that / was awake. How
do You feel this morning 2
Very we'll, 1 thank YOU, Gerald,
with the exception of lightness III the
head, ] replied Bat what means this
stiffness pervading the house?' 1
asked.
You are not well enough yet he
'to talk much. After a few
days your curiosity shall be graeifeI,
and all that appears strange to you
now shall he explained. Iou have
been very III fer the last two weeks,
and II relapse now might be fatal.
Ill for two weeks why, what 90
you mean, Gerald 2 / inquired.
L mean, Fred he replied, that
vou have been delirious with a fever
for the last two weeks, occasione.i by
and over-exert.aa On that
fatal night.
"'Whv fatal, Gerald p asked. no.
ticipa nis sunhre attire, and sudden
misgiving taking possession g nay
heart. Where is Jennie2'
" Fred, Joaanie IS srtfh Tie ange1s,'
he answered, IN Il voice broken by emo
tic.. TOR never did brother ard sister
love each other more fondlv,
8 'Great Heaven is, sac slead:'
gasped.
Yes, hc answered. il choking
Voice, eh,toa~oring to- keep down tIe
sears which, welled mp IN his eyes.
But compose yourself, he added.
and I will give yo1l an account Of Ill
that has occurred for tho last tv7a
weeks.
ION that ight, two weeks ago. when
You lett JSAnIss u rettsr-l to nv alG,
sae hurried home whec &c she gave an
account Of our reriios,s adventure, and
intimatef tho necessity of sending Us
iaIsetitate assistance. Father, accom-
panied by half "a dozen hardy fisher
men from the neighborIood, - once
started off to our relief. He found us
both insensihje, and had Us conveyed
homo. l soQl lecnvered, not having
been r-ach hurt but ycu were terra.