Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-24

bough, and by vigorous effort had sue
ceeded in tearing away portion of the
ill-kept fence, so as to establish a gap
through which slender figure might pass.
Yet minute and Annette was seated be-
side him in the sledge, speeding rapidly
away from the pilaged castle.
The road, which had hitherto traversed
cultivated district. at this point plunged
into dreary tract OF forest land. so that
the black pine trees soon barred out the
light of the dying day, and little could be
seen except the white snow that cleaned
from between their poles.
A chilly breeze sprang up. and the even
ing grew perceptibly colder; but the
sledge was well provided with wraps, and
Edgar was careful to draw heavy iurred
pellisse around the trembling form of the
young Countess, while, in fond and sooth-
ing words. he strove to calm her agitated
nerves. She was safe. Within an hour
or two he should be able to place her, on
their arrival at Nasilkof, under the care of
her parents, and that before the alarm of
the revolt of the serls should have spread
itself. The horses went well the distance
was trifling; and
What interrupted Edgar's speech was q
fierce, snarling cry, accompanied by the
quick pattering of feet among the wlther-
ed leaves and the snow, and thel. long
drawn whining howl that seemed to issue
from fifty threats, while dark objects be-
gan to glance, phantom.like between the
trees.
Evolves! wolvesr' cried Annette.
with a shrek of terror, but already the
affrighted horses had set off at mad gal
| lop, swerving from side to side Of the road
| in manner that threatened to upset the
| sledge. Again there burst forth that hor-
rid cry; and Marston exerted his skill and
strength in maintaining mastery over the
snorting horses Annette, looking fear
fully back, announced the unwelcome
tidings that they were pursued.
You must be cool, dearest one; now,
| for both our sakes-for NINE said the
young Englishman, as he cast glance at
the dark specks dotting the snow. You
can drive well. / know. Only keep the
horses to the road and all will yet be
| we'll"
As the young Countess took the reins.
Edgar stopped for his trusty rifle. and lev
elled it with deliberate aim at the fore
most wolf, now bounding far before the
rest. The huge brute rolled over on the
crmsOned snow, with a cry OF rage and
pain that was answered by the yell of the
hurrying pack and then succeeded hid
eous medley of confused sounds, followed
by period of silence.
"Have they given up the pursuit -
asked Annette, with white lips, as Mars
ton reloaded his piece.
mo, no" answered the young man.
shaking his head. 1.-The creatures have
not paused, as is their custom, to destroy
their wounded comrade. 1t is but an in
stant's breathing-tme. which"
lie fired both barrels as he spoke into
the thick of the advancing pack.
Then ensued terrible contest of speed
between the gallant horses, wild with
fear, and the willy and savage dcnizens
of the Russian woods. Four more shots
from Edgar's rifle brought down as many
wolves, but they were now too near, and
too eager in their ravening fury to be
beaten off. The winding of the road,
too, enabled some of the leaders OF the
pack to gain upon the fast-fying sledge,
and with rare audacity, to endeavor to
overleap its sides. while Edgar, finging
down the gun, slashed at the broad paws
and hairy threats with the keen blade Of
his heavy hunting knife, aud succeeded,
though with difficulty, in disabling the two
foremost of the assailants. The third,
slightly hurt, skunk bowling away; but a
few yards in the rear, the clamor OF the
remainder of the fierce drove told how
ruthlcssly the chase was maintained.
CONTINUED TOMORROW.