The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-16

upon us, nearer and yet nearer-their CRY
growing perceptibly from an uncertain
Ivague voice of the darkness into the ln
mistably wolflike 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 daI knese
of the night and our nearness to Stol
Aswan.
Eric still held the reins, and covered
down at the bottom of the sleigh, and
prayed more earnestly than 1 had ever
yet done in my lie "f0r an increase oil
the snoW-drift, or aught, even miracle,
II 1t might only save u.s."
On and on, for a time that seemed in
terminable, yet might in truth have been
but q few moments. Then the storm
ceased, the moon emerged from her shell
ter, and we saw halt mile in our rear a
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.
l could have screamed, too, when l
heard it, for fright was driving me half
wild; it was So unutterably horrible to
perish thus. But Il glance at Eric, SO
calm and steadfast, gave me new cour-
age. 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 l could
hear the rapid breathing OF our foes, see
their fierce eyes and white teeth glitter.
Ing and cleaning in the moonlight.
Prompted by Eric, | threw out the bear
skin rug which protected me from the
cold. For moment they paused, smelt
at 1t, 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 instanps priceless delay.
AS the last fell from my hand, the fore
most wolf bounded forw ard, just missing
my arm, while his strong, cruel jaws met
with painfully audible snap.
Then Eric turned and looked at me-a
long, loving glance-and began knotting
the reins to the iron side Of the driving.
seat. 1nstinctively divining his pur-
pose OF giving his life to save mine,
sprang forward, and clinging to him
frantically, whispered:
dearest, remember we stand or fall
togetherw
A sudden thought, justified by our
dire extremity, flashed through my brain
1T was at best u forlorn hope. Quickly
l bent over Eric, snatched the hunting
knife from his belt, and cut loose the
nearest pony. With an almost human
cry Of pain the poor animal galloped off,
with the ravenous pack after it. A few
strides only, and it was surrounded,
overp0wered, down; and the last sounds
we heard ere the welcome lights OF Stor
Aswan came in sight were our baftled
enemies growing and. fighting over the
remains Of my gallant little steed. It'll
was a cruel sacrifice, but necessity
knows no law, and by it we were saved.
In after years, as we sat round The fire |
at "New Years Eve" with the storm
beating wildly, as now, against the case
ment, and the wintry twilight closing in,
our children would ask to hear, 'once
more." the ofttold tale Of the "Salten |
hounds" or our flight "for dear life."
--Se%.-