The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1876-07-26

the boundary Of the forest, Will
/ through those gIared an ominou,
raddy light, and shouts, shots, and
roar as of IN excited crowd came cor
tusedly to the car.
Heaven help them2 the castl
must be already on fire |" exrlaime,
the young inah, ma he saw taI
column Of smoke, streaked by fer
showers of sparks and burning flake
rise high in the air. " What by this
must be the fate Of those within |"
His apProhensions were, however
destined TO be promptly relieved, since
rs he drove by the low boundary fene,
of the counts gardens, he heard hi
name called, and saw Apuiette Galit
zin herself come running tnKitds hin
| from amidst the darklin. mnus q
| sHrlibs. Her dark haif NBls hahIint
loosely over her shoulders, and hel
little feet, in their dainty Paris shoes
sank Mt every step in the deep snow
making it evident that In her alarm
she had darted forth from the burning
manor-house, having barely time tC
snatch up the short hooded cloak,
lined and trimmed with costly fur,
which she wore.
" Mr.. MarstOn--Edgar I" she OK.
claimed, with n terrific earnestncss,
oh, pray, save mel Take me with
you before they seek me out to kill
me. / feel half dead, already, at the
very sound Of their savage shouts and
tramping feet, Papa, thank Heaven,
is safe at Vasilkof, where he and my
dear mother went but yesterday, leay-
ing me here alone with the German
governess, and when the peasants
broke in, MademOiseIle Herzen thought
Of nothing but her own safety, and
fled into tho woods, and"
by this time Marston had sprung to
the ground, fastened the reins to II
projecting bough, and by u vigorous
effort had succeeded in tearing away a
portion of the ill-kept fence, 80 as to
establish gap through which a slen-
der figure might pass. Yet a minute
and Annette was seated beside him in
the sledge, speeding rapidly away from
the pillaged castle.
A chilly breeze sprang up, and the
evening grew perceptibly cooler, but
the sledge was well provided with
wraps, and Edgar was careful TO draw
a heavy furred pelisse around the
trembling form Of the young countess.
while in fond and soothing words he
tried to calm her agitated nerves.
She was saft Within an hour or two
he should be able to place her, upon
their arrival at Vasilkof, under the
care OF her parents, and that before
the alarm Of the serls should have
spread itself. The horses went we'll,
the distance was tliaLng, and
was a fierce startling cry, accompanied
by the pattering of feet among the
withered leaves and the snow, and
then u long-drawn, whining howl that
seemed to issue from fifty throats,
while dark objects began TO glance,
phantomiike, between the trees.
/" Wolves wolves + cried Annette,
with shrek Of terror; but already
the atirighted horses had set off at a
mad gallop, swerving from side to side
of the road in manner that threat
eued to upset tie Siege. Again there
burst forth that horrid cry. Marston
exerted his skill and strength IN main-
tanning a mastery over the snortiug
horses, and Annette, looking iearfully
back, announced the unwelComo tidings
that they were pursued.
You must be cool, dearest one,
now. for both our sakes-tor mine,
said the youg Englishman, as he cast
a glance ut the small specks dotting
the snow. You can drive well, |
know. Only keep the horses to the
road, and al will be we'll"
AS the young countess took the
reins Edgar stopped for his trusty rifle,
and leveled it with deliberate aim at
the foremost wolf, now bounding far
before the rest. The huge brute rolled
over ON the crimsoned snow with q cry
Of rage and pain that was answered
by the yell Of the hurrying pack, and
then succeeded hideous medley Of
confused sounds, followed by period
of silence.
"Have they given up the pursuit p
asked Annette, with white lips, as
Marston reloaded his piece.
"No, no, answered the young man,
shaking his head. The creatures
have but paused, as is their custom, 70
devour their wounded comrade. 1t is
but m instant's breathing time
which,
AS he spoke he fired both barrels
into the thick Of the advancing pack.
-Four more shots from Edgar's rifle
brought down as many wolves, but
now thoy we're too near and too eager
in their ravening fury te be beaten oft.
The winding Of the road, too, enabled
some of the leads Of the pack to gain
upon the hast-hyiBg sledge, and, with
rare audacity, TO endeavor to over
lean It's sides, while Edgar. Ainging
down the gun, slashed at the broad
naws and hazy throats with the keen
blade of his heavy hunting-knife, and
succeeded, though with difficulty, in
disabling the two foremost of the as
sailants. 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 ruthlessly
the chase was maintained
He rose TO his feet and looked to
right and left. Close to the roadside
ON the left grew a mighty beech tree.
Could he set his back to that tree,
kin or cripple the first of the furious
wolves. and swing himself up among
the lower branches out of roach Of the
others. he might yet have q chance Of
ttf h!ta AZ. eiadCa tvntild rRtT1 SO