The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-01-08

bAN 'AAO ~
tense that we coulo not see a hands
breadth before us-I called to Eric,
who was driving, and asked if all was
we'll. 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 mp,
knowing that sleep in that bitter night
air might mean death. OF any other
fear [ had no thought, when suddenly
| heard another sound come up with the
wind-a long-drawn hollow moan.
Twice or thrice it came at intervals,
the weird noise, each time nearer and
more distinct. The third time the
ponies also heard it, for they sprang
forward with an impetus that almost
shook me out OF the carriage. Fright
ened, 1 said to Eric, "What, oh what
is that ?" And the answer came back,
short and stern, 1.-The Salten
wolves -
Then began that terrible chase "for
dear life" which, though we should
both live for twice our allotted span,
we could never forget. Swiftly we sped
along, our steeds impelled by a terror
as great as Our OWL, until they ap-
peared almost to fly. Breathlessly we
hardened, hoping even yet to leave the
enemy behind. But 10, they Travelled
with us, gained upon us, nearer and yet
nearer-their cry growing perceptlbly
from an uncertain vague voice OF the
darkness into the Enthusiastically 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 nearnCss to Stor Aswan.
Eric still held the reins, and L covered
down at the bottom of the sleigh, and
prayed more earnestly than L had ever
vet dene in my life for Oh increase of
the SDOW-urltt or 2IiSDt, even q mira
Gle, if it might only save u.s."
On and on, for a time that seemed in
terminable, yet might i'll truth have
been but a few moments. Then the
storm ceased, the moo emerged from
her shelter, and We saw half a mile in
our rear & dark line coming swiftly and
steadily down upon us. III the middle
of q 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 a howl of
savage exultation. 1 could have
screamed, too, when I heard it, for
fright was driving me half wild it was
so unutterably horrible to perish thus.
But a 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 u foes,
see their fierce eyes and white teeth,
glittering Il cleaning in the moon
light. Prompted by Erie, ! threw out
the bearskin 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 precious delay. AS the last fell
from my hand the foremost wolf bound
ed forward, just missing my arm, while
his strong, cruel jaws met with a pain
fully audible snap.
Then Eric turned and looked at me-
a 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 at best q forlorn hope.
Quickly 1 bent over Eric, snatched the
hunting-knife from bis belt, and cut