The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-01-15
wear. and one already SO full of promise.

ring again as the gaily -caparisoned
horses paved and shook their heads,
impatient as their owners to be of. At
length we started, Eric and as hosts
being the last of the party, for of course
he was my charioteer. 1 well remem-
Der my father standing at the door to
see us go, and as he tucked the bear
skin rug more closely around me, bid
ding us "return early, and beware of
the Salten hounds" We laughed at
the warning then, but had awful cause
to remember it afterwards.
Of that day L shall not speak we
we're all young and in wild spirits, and
some of us in love. Need I say more ?
An idst the many fair faces and 1.-THE
forms that glided SO gracefully over the
frozen mere, tireless through these long
hours, l was the fairest. /, blue-eyed,
golden-haired Ella Bieorn, was the ac-
knowledged belle and queen of the
party, and Eric, my lover, the most
stalwart youth of the countryside But
all things, even the pleasantest, must
come to an end. So when the shades
of evening began to fall heavily, merg-
ing earth, sky, and water into one gray
leaden cloud, we began our journey
homewards. Tired out with my exer-
tions, as soon as we started I nestled
down amongst the soft furs in the
sleigh, and, rocked by it's easy motion,
soon fell fast asleep. How long L slept,
l knew not but when awoke it was
showing fast, and the darkness so in
tense that we could not see hand S
breadth before us. / called to Eric,
who was driving, and asked if all was
well. To which the answer came back,
half deadened by the thick atmosphere,
"All well, but for Gods sake try to
keep awake"
So I aroused myself and sat up, know.
ing that sleep in that bitter night air
might mean death. OF any other fear
1 had no thought, for my driver was
skillful whilst Thor and Odin, our two
sturdy little mountain ponies, knew
their way home almost unguided. Sud-
denly, as listened vainly for the echo
of our companions bells, 1 heard an
other sound come up with the wind-a
long-drawn hollow moan. Twice or
thrice it came at intivals, this weird
noise, each time nearer and more dis
tinct- The third time the ponies also
heard it, for they sprang forward with
an impetus that almost shook me out of
the carriage. Frightened, said to
Eric, "What, o, what is that ?" And
the answer came back, short aud stern,
/" The Salten hounds !"
Then began that terrible chase for
dear life >" which, though we should
both live for twice our allotted span, we
never could forget. Swiftly we sped
along, our steeds impelled by terror
Il
almost to fly. Breathlessly we hardened,
hoping even yet to leave the enemy be-
hind. But no ; they travelled with US,
| gained upon US, nearer and yet nearer
their cry growing peroeptibly from an
uncertain vague voice of the darkness
into the unmistaka. y wolf-like note.
We knew from the direction from
whence it came that they were tracking
us by scent ; so now our last poor
chance lay in the darkness of the night
and our nearness to Stor Aswan. Eric
still held the reins, and covered down
at the bottom of the sleigh and prayed
more earnestly than had ever yet done
in my life " fer an increase of the snow
drift, or aught, even miracle, if it
might only save us.
On, and on, for time that seemed
interminable, yet in truth might have
been but few moments. Then the
starm ceased, the moon emerged from
her shelter, and we saw half q mile in
our rear dark line coming swiftly and
steadily down upon us. In the middle
of white plain, with no nook or corner
visible wherein we could take refuge,
and still nearly a league from home,
our case looked hopeless enough. So
our pursuers seemed to think, as they
now caught sight of us for the first
time, and lifting their black muzzles-
from the ground gave vent to howl of
savage exultation. | could have
screamed too when heard it, for fright
was driving me half wild it was so.
unutterably horrible to perish thus.
But glance at Eric, so calm and stead
fast, gave me new courage. l felt that,
come what might, we should at least die
together.
Faster and faster we flew, like hunted
animals, death behind us coming on
apace. A few yards more and he would
claim us for his own. Already could
hear the rapid breathing of our foes,
see their fierce eyes and white teeth
glittering and cleaning in the moon
light. Prompted by Eric, threw out
the bear-skin rug which protected me
from the cold. For a moment they
paused, smelt at it, then on with fresh
fury after their old prey. One by one,
cushions, wraps, all went over to the
hungry pack, each gaining us an in
stant's priceless delay. AS the last fell
from my hand, the foremost wolf
bounded forward, Just missing my arm,
whilst his strong, cruel jaws met with
a painfully audible snap.
Then Eric turned and looked at me-
long, loving glance-and began knot
ting the reins to the iron side of the
driving-seat. Instinctively divining
his purpose of giving his life to save
mine. L sprang forward, and clinging
to him frantically, whispered:
dearest, remember, We stand or fall
together"
A sudden thought, justified by our
dire extremity, flashed through my
brain-it was a best a forlorn hope.
Quickly bent over Eric, snatched the
hunting-knife from his belt, and cut
loose the nearest pony With an al
most human cry of pain the poor ami
mai galloped of, with the ravenous pack
after it. A few strides only and it was
surrounded, overpowered, down; and
the last sounds we heard ere the well
come lights of Stor Aswap came in
sight were our baffied enemies growing
and fighting over the remains of my
gallant little steed. 1t was a cruel sac
- - B,,1 Ion