The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-05-10
THE DAILY BULLETIN.
NARROW ESCAPE.
ny ARTHUR l.. MEsERvE.

''"' nv Hh""lVNHc VI W.
j shuddcr as ! sit here recording IT,
with the fire burning brightly upon the
hearth, and light, warmth and comfort all
around me. Yesterday morning set out
from my residence to come hthcr.
II was told that the road was bad but
this information did not deter me from set
ting out.
MY horse was strong one, and felt
that he WIS abundantly able to carry me
through.
so at an early hour ] set of, determined
10 make the journey, if | could, before the
darkness again came down.
For the first few miles the road had been
very fair; but when we entered the forest
Though which had to pass found that
haste would be no part Of my programme.
The snow was deep and packed but very
liitle; and what made it worse, there was a
sharp crust that cut the legs ofmy hose at
,vcry step"
This interfered with his travelling so much
tina; il required good deal Of urging 10
keep him in a slow trot
1t was weary day for all of US, but at
last il wore away, and the shadows Of night
hcghn To gather around.
Since noon had not passed a single
habi,ation.
The forest stretched away before me, and
saw no sign that was approaching any
dwelling place Of man.
"On and on plodded; at u slow walk,
while the shadows Of night gathered thick
about me. But the darkness was ere long
dspelled by the rising of the moon, which
sent food Of light down into the forest. 50
that my way was rendered almost as light
and as plain before me as il was before
night set in.
"A little later and sound fell upon my
cars, which sent thrill through my whole
bcing.
1T was the crazy wolves.
In an instant realized the danger that
was in. Nv horse a. though he did also,
pricked Up his ears and started Of al bet.
Ter pace.
Again the cry came, louder and more
distinct than before II told me that the
blood-thirsty brutcs had scented us out, and
were in full pursuit.
should they come up with Us there was
no, one chance in hundred that We would
escape.
''Our only safety lay in getting on as fas,
~ possible, and distancing them.
Blu, this felt was next 10 impossible
with horse as tired as mine.
Yet twas my only hope, and giving
him sharp cut he sprung onward.
But in less than dozen rods he had
fallen into walk again, out Of which
neither whip nor spur nor the cry Of the
wolves, could stir him.
Then the truth. when had long sus-
pcc,ed was forced upon mc-hc was com
petely tired out.
Il cast a glance backward, and shuddcr-
al a. did SO.
The wolves were 50 near that ] could
see their shadowy forms as they came
gliding onward through the trees.
Again did my best TO urge my horse
onward, but with as i'll success as before.
"A minute later and emerged into an
op n space on the bank Of the river whose
course had been following for the greater
part Of the day.
"Two-thrds lis surface was covered with
ice. but in the center there WAS dark chan
mel. where the water moved more swiftly,
and thus far had babe defiance 10 the frost.
As looked SAW Il large cake Of ice
that had become detached from the main
lody slowly floating down the channel on
the side next 10 me.
In an instant il occurred "a me that
therein lay my only hope Of safety.
LIN m
that in a course of few minutes more they
would be swapping at my heels.
Il sprung from my saddle, and as |
touched the snow found myself half bun.
ed in il.
1T was deeper than imagined and for
moment stood irresOlutc, hardly know
ing il ! would have time 10 force my way
through it To the ice before the wolves
he would upon me.
AT that moment all the wolves in tie
pack seemed to open their throats and gave
prolonged howl in concert.
Again, startled by the sound, and re.
lievcd of my weight, my horse sprung away
from my side, at better rate OF speed than
had thought him capable Of, leaving me
10 shift for myself
There was no chance for me now, except
the river, and plunged through the snow
toward it.
Nearer and nearer came the wolves,
their horrid cries filling my ears.
IL inwardy prayed that they might keep
On after my horse, but in this was doomed
10 disappointment.
They turned aside after me, and came
pIunging through the snow.
II caught up the dead branch OF tree,
which had fallen on the snow, and plunged
onward.
II struck the ice with the bowling brutcs
not dozen yards in my rear.
The floating cake on which my salvation
depended was little below me, and. to my
horror, saw Il at the current was carrying
il toward the opposite side.
With every nerve stretched to its ut.
most sprung toward it.
"A fearful chasm of black water lay be-
tween; but the leap must be taken or hor-
Tibc death was mine.
..Summoning all the strength ! could
command, sprang above the dark water
inst as the foremost wolf made n snap at
my heels -.
II planted my feet upon the cake of ice,
hut it was only by the greatest effort that |
stuck to il, instead of sliding into the water,
as for an instant il seemed that must do.