The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-04-27
NARROW ESCAPE
A Thrilling Adventure.
BY ARTHUR l.. MEsERyE.

| LhO lOAlOhiIi5 SN'' -
word, from the notebook of traveller;
An adventure belell me yesterday that
will haunt me to my dying day
"IfI ever came so near 70 death before,
had no knowledge Off
al shudder now as l sit here recording it,
with the fire burning brightly upon the
hearth, and light, warmth and comfort all
around me. Yesterday morning l set out
from my residence to come hither.
al was told that the road was bad; but
this information did not deter me from set
ting out
"My horse was q strong one, and felt
that he was abundantly able to carry me
through.
$50 at an early hour set off, determined
to make the journey, if could, before the
darkness should again come down.
" For the first few miles the road had been
very fairj but when l entered the forest
through which I had to pass l found that
haste would be no part of my programme
"The snow was deep, and packed but
very little; and, what made it worse, there
was sharp crust, that cut the legs of my
horse at every step. .. ....,..
b." This interfered with his travelling so
much that it required good deal of urging
to keep him in slow trot.
4" 1t was very weary day for both of u.s.
but at last it wore away, and the shadows Of
night began to gather around.
"Since noon l had not passed a single
habitation.
"The forest stretched away before me,and
l saw no sign that l was approaching any
dwelling-place of man.
"On and ~ plodded, at a slow walk,
while the shadows of night gathered thick
about me. But the darkness was ere long
dispeled by the rising of the moon, which
sent flood of light down into the forest, SO
my way was rendered almost as light and as
plain before me as it was before the night
set in. ANA
"a little later, md sound fell upon my
ears, which sent thrill through my entire
being
=" 1t lOGS the cry Of loOlresl
"In an instant realized the danger that
was in. My horse, as though he did, also,
pricked up his ears and started offat better
pace.
"Again the cry came, louder and more
distinct than before. It told me that the
bloodthirsty brutes had scented us out, and
!: were in full pursuit.
"should they but come up with us, there
! was not one chance in hundred that we
! could escape.
s sour only safety lay in getting on as fast
as possible, and distancing them.
"But this, felt was next to impossible
+ with a horse SO tired as mine.
) "Yet it was my only hope, and, giving
him sharp cut, he sprung onward.
T "But in less than dozen rods ho hat
fallen into a walk again, out ofwhich Meth
. er whip nor spur, nor the cry of the wolves
5. could stir him.
!. "Then the truth, which had long sus
= pected, was forced upon me-he was com
pletely tired out.
81 cast glance backward, and shudderet
. as did SO.
a "The wolves were so near that could sc
their shadowy forms a they came glidin
:. onward though the trees.
I, "Again did my best to urge my horl
y onward, but with as i'll success as before.
liz "A minute later and I emerged into a
IN open space, on the bank of the river who's
- course had been following for the create
part of the day. ..,
"Two-thirds of It's surface was covero
~ With ice, but in the center there was a dar
e channel, where the water moved more swift
p. ", and thus far had bado defiance to Ii
eyS frost. .rt.
A, "AsI looked I saw a large cake Of ic
4 that had become detached from the mai
=, body, slowly floating down the channel o
~ the side next to me. ,...,.
6s ain an instant it occurred to me tn
OF therein lay my only hope of safety. ...
= "The wolves were now so close upon II
Oo that in couple ofminutes more they wou'
d. be snapping at my heels. t,.. ..r ..
81 sprung from my saddle, and, as
T touched the snow, found myself halfburit
- in it.
oI nT I" 1t was deeper than imagined, and
he moment stood irresolute, hardly kno1
mo mo ing if I would have time to force my WI
er- through it to the ice, before the woly
"a. would be upon me. .........
\. "At that moment all the wolves in t
laF pack seemed to open their throats and ga
Inc a prolonged howl in concert
,,hSe again, startled by the sound, and relic
y ed of my weight, my horse sprung aw
l. from my side, at better rate of speed tn
,sd esi ! had thought him capable Of leaving me
am shift for myself.
B. "There was no chance for me now, exc
Its lis the river, and plunged through the sn
.og toward il.
The Nearer and nearer came the wolyes,th
lles