The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-09

to be cold.
The next natural proceeding was to
attempt to dig their way out. With the
long poles at their command they delved
in different directions, but it was i'm
possible to make any satisfactory
progress.
They dreaded, In case they worked
any distance from the shelter of the
rock, the disturbance thus created would
bring down the thousands of tons above
their head, and destroy them instantly
and utterly as the Alphine avalanche
overwhelms the traveller.
They could barely distinguish the fad
ing out of the faint light at the crevices
by which they knew when night had
come.
They toled cautiously, and once, when
Mccoy had ventured little too far,
second edition of the fearful rumbling
sound warned them of what was COM
ing, and his companions, catching his
feet, were barely able to draw him back
in time to save his life.
That ended all effort to dig themselves
out, and they came to the conclusion
that nothing was left but to wait for
death to release them from their snowy
prison.
They had food at their service, and
SO that the prospect was of confine-
ment of weeks before the final scene.
Nearly three days passed, when Nc
Carly suddenly started up and ex-
claimed:
" "Sh don't you hear it ?'
His companions listened, but detected
nothing.
Some one is digging down to u.s."
All listened intently, for at such a
time the slightest noise is of the greatest
importance, meaning most probably life
or death to all concerned In few
minutes they caught peculiar sound,
which they knew was made by delving
in the snow.
They must be Indians" was the ex-
clamation of Mccoy.
"Most likely; but how would they
know we are here ?"
A very appropriate question, indeed
for the descent of the avalanche had OBJ
liberated most effectually every trace of
the miners from the outside world.
The general belief was that the parties
approaching must be savages, and the
whites shouted with might and main.
Instantly the digging ceased, but there
was no response, and in brief time,
the noise showed that the delving was
resumed.
For a full hour this continued, and
then dim, increasing light indicated
the point where the strangers were
laboring through the vast mass of
snow.
The miners called out again, but still
there was no reply.
"That proves one thing,n said Nc
Carty, in scared voice.
Whats that ?''
They are not men, but wild ami
mails"
"What of it 2"
Most probably they are wolves,
whose hunger will make them as brave
as tigers. Have your guns ready, for ii
will be an ugly fight"
The miner was correct in his theory,
for they were wolves that were clawing
their way through the snow, eager to
get at the dainty meal awaiting them,
and whose location they must have
learned from the odor of the cooking
meat borne to them through the frosty
air.
Mcdonald ran to where the fire was
smouldering, and caught up a brand,
which he circled rapidly around his
head until it was famed into a blaze.
Just then flood of light broke into
the cavern, and the snout of gigantic
wolf was thrust through the opening.
Before the brute could take in the
whole scene, the torch was jammed into
his eyes, and, with a yelping snarl, he
leaped back among his companions.
Still holding the fire before him, the
miner crawled through the tunnel, close
ly followed by his friends, with their
guns ready for immediate use.
Arriving on the outside, they were
gratified to find that the wolves only
numbered half dozen, two of which
were instantly shot dead, and third
wounded.
The rifles were loaded without delay,