Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-02-04

when noise behind them attracted tn,
attention Of both, and turning they be-
held small pack of wolves. rendered
desperate by hunger, pursuing tbs
sleigh. They came nearer and nearer
As they were in so large a number
twenty or more-the count told the dri
yer to keep up his speed, and he would
pick of one or two of them at a time
They were soon within range, and lift.
ing one of the guns, he fred each oil
the barrels, and two wolves dropped in
their tracks.
Then followed the singular scene
which is instructive with these animals.
AS soon as one is wounded and render.
ed helpless, his COMPANIONS fall upon him
and deyour his body at once. These
creatures, crazed with hunger, tore the
carcasses to pieces in an incredibly short
time, fighting over the body to secure
a mouthful, and were soon rushing af-
terthe sleigh with renewed ferucity, excl
ted by the taste Of blood. The young
Englishman soon tried his hand and
dropped three Of the wolves with two
shots, one having evidently gone entire
ly through the body of an animal and
entered that of another before its in
petus was lost.
x he same scene was repeated which
we have just described, but the pack
had increased by the addition of anoth-
er sccrc Of animals. which had been at
trac,ed by the smell or noise OF those
already in tie field.
1t brgan to look serious, and the
count remarked that he had no idea the
wolves were in such numbers this sea-
son.
They fired again, each time killing n
wolf; but that retarded the pursutrs
but for few momentS-so ulany starv-
inl; mouths dcveured the wounded crea-
lures instantaneousiy
IL the meantime the horses were
kept at steady and lively gait It
would not answer TO use them up by
a desperate dash of speed; for if they
were to give out, the tray,!cr would be
torn to pieces Ill five minutes, as well
as the horses themselves.
Keep STEADY hand, Ivan said the
count 10 the driver. Don't fret the
team, but keep them well up to work
We have a long route before us
Yes, count
Nov, Mr.. Hurbcrt, we shall give
YOU chance to show your good mark
Here cones another pac,,
on cur flank
Twice rs large il numbers, said the
-. sz--zs,-sss--N-gf r
true. ION blaze away at them
VIXEN they get near enough see you
are an excellent shot ard / will keep
these fellows behind busy with each 9th
er's carcass,s.'
Care was taken to load the guns as
fast as fired. for fear that the time might
be near at hand when they could not
spare the time for that purpose. The
wolves had not yet got near enough to
use the royolvcrs upon them. More
than Z dozen wolves had been shot and
devourcd up to this time, serving to
keep the pack back by the consequent
delays each time that two of them fell
iy the UEcrrtnS aim of the count and
his companion.
The large Pack that came down
in quarterinE direction We're now
quite near. and the Englishman aimed
and fired. 1t Was impossible to miss
them, they were SO close together, and
two instantly dropped, rolling over and
staining the snow with their blood
The racs, halted and tore them to pie
ces. while the sleigh keeping on its
course threw them far behind. and they
joined those immediately in the rear
This crowd Of rayeuous and ferocious
creatures low numbered sixty or more,
two or three fresh wolves joining them
every few moments from different di-
rrctiuuS.
The count kept busy with his guns.
but said not word. The expression
upon his features, however, was ore Of
considerable anxiety. and he was care
ful 10 reload at every fire.
The wolves now spread themselves
ou;. al the while on the run. in the
share of Lalt-moou or crescent, SO
that the two ends Of the pack. now
hundred at least, nearly
came on 4 range with the sides of the
sleigh, though some rods distant. The
count and his companion kept busy.
and at each fire of their double barrelled
guns, = couple cf wolves were sure to
drop, when all the pursuers would stop
fer few minutes to devour their COM
yaleS, and again commence the chase.
1t was impossible in the partial dark
ness to~say where the additions 10 the
mad creatures came from. but that the
pack WAS rapidly increasing was very
manifest, and In order to keep them
from coming rear enough 10 leap upon
the sleigh and its occupants. the two
gc;.tlemen were compelled 10 fire rap
idly, and 10 distribute theiy shots all
along the curving line Of the pursuers.
This is Terrible said the count ut
last. is there no end 10 their num-
bcrs z Is be reloaded his gun after Kill
ling couple of the nearest.
i suppose they would ievour US in
stantly, said the Englishman, If they
reached Us: =
Undoubtedly = replied the count.
'Iyan:'
Yes. COUNT
'Hola Your revolver ready. They
are coIaiug close now, and we must
blaze away all at once, dropping rs
many Is possible. and this viii give
them good check, at least for q few
moments
The horses seemed TO realize the exi-
gency OF the case, and though panting
severely at the lone-continued exertien
stii kert pressing forward II . swif'