Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-05

ing as the means OF working out what
he considered would be capital joke.
His plans were soou laid, and he pro-
ceeded to pot them into execution.
Creeping through the underground
which bordered his path, he crouched
down and patiently awaited the ap-
proach of his victim. He had not wait
ed long before Uncle Tom, his horse at
sharp trot and himself casting timid
glances around, arrived opposite his
place of concealment. Peter allowed
him to pass few PAGES, aud them
spriDging forward on his hands and
knees, he uttered one or two snarling
yelps, instantly followed by the loud,
clear gathering cry Of the wolves
The effect upon Uncle Tom was eec
trical. Springing half way ont Of his
saddle, he uttered a scream Of terror,
and then STOPPING until his head nearly
touched the name, he plunged the spurs
into the horses flank, and was off like a
shot. As for Peter, be rolled over on
his back, aud kicked his heels in huge
enjoyment at his success. Loud aud
long he laughed, occasionally varying
the performance by making the forest
ring with a repetition of the wild, uav-
age cry that had struck such terror into
Uncle Toms timid heart But there is
an end to all things, and so after awhile
there was an end to Peters mirth, and |
he, wiping his eyes, regained the path,
and was about to resume his journey,
when he heard sound that sent cold
shlvers coursng over his body, and al
most froze the blood in his veins. The
wolves had heard this successful imita-
ton of their music, and were coming
down full cry upon him,
In au instant he realized his position
and peril. From the sounds he knew
that the wolves were coming down on
either side of the path he had just t ray
eled, and, therefore, the nearest point of
safety was his own clearing, more than
a mile away.
ALI this passed through his mind like
a flash, and then calling all his energies g;
into play he. dashed down the path ;
with scarcely less speed and terror than ,
had Uncle Tom Barry himself. Peter ,
was famous runner, and had come off {
victor III many trial Of speed when :,
people had come together for a log :
rolling, but this was no holiday game. .
He was not taxing his muscle to win
The applause of admirng friends or to
crafty an ambition to excel.
The race was for life.
Down the long slope that led to Pill. v
kins Hollow, and up the ascent beyond 0
led Peter, while hardly hundred yards O
behind came ye!ping, snarliug pack, Il
hungry and fierce The life of an un- il
lrmed man would not be worth min G.
ties purchase, could they once surround ii
''m' This Peter acknowledged to him g
cit, asa thought entered his mind of
tandnS on the defensive; SO he abau- W
oned the thought before it was fully
'rmed, AMI brace! himself anew for c,
light. to
Down another long slope, across a ca
road sheet Of ice at its foot, and Leth. It;
rbees Hill. with its long, steep ascent, al
y before him. He shuddered as he yc
Ianced up AT It's rugged side, for he pr
1t that bis strength would scarcely
ltlce to carry him to the tSp.
Still he kept on, though it seemed ''
adhess TO hope, for his pursuers had '''
'ned upon HIM .earfully; lie knew it. s'
the beating of their footsteps, but III
ith energies inspired by mortal terror ''o
ran on, hoping only to gain the brow
the hill, for there the ground became oil
ore open, and Bis own cabin was but 81,
few yards beyond. He felt sure that
pursuers would not carry him beyond -
Q sumsit; but could he re$ch it be- =,
re they would close upon him :? /
No, not by his own cXcrtions. for inst
the thought passed through his mind
loot caught under a guarded root y
AT extended across the way, and he
heavily forward, his head struck the pal
zen ground, and he lay senseless. and m
When Peter recovered consciousness OIL" ''"'
found himself hanging over the t." tot t
bad shoulders Of his brother John, and bcs
ont to enter his own door. Here he mel
N collected his scattered senses, and T
$ able to listen intelligently to his tut
'ther's account of the rescue anl
'ucle Tom Barry, in his flight, had to !,
Pped long enough to shout through Ta' M"'
window that the wolves were ous. kit
then hurried on. John, who lived srrIr rI
"a his brother, knowing that Peter nin' I'm,