Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-10
twentieth time, that he had left his
rif7n hahin1

1cctually aroused hlln, ana ne sat bolt
upright andlooked around. He looked
in front; all wore it's wonted appear
ance; wild, struggling piece Of wood
standing two feet deep in snow the
narrow track twisting through it; the
heavens, cold and clear, the earth
white; but close behind the sled were
three giant animals, cantering heavi-
ly, while a fourth was fast gaining be-
hind.
The jaws of the leading wolf, ow-
ing to the lowness of the sled, were
within reach of Henreich's shoulder.
But the latter cared little for this.
The brutes were after the mare, and
upon her courage and fortitude de.
pended the escape of herself and mas
tor. II the alarmed creature could
have the nerve to keep steadily on
ward in the track, she had q good
chance Of eluding her pursuers; for
the moment the wolves sprang out
| side the road to pass the sleigh, the
depth of the snow 50 diminished their
speed that they fell behind. But
should the mare, in her terror, spring
aside and plunge into hesnow, Kaup-
man knew it was all up with both Of
them. Such a proceeding would dis
cntangle her from the sled; and be-
fore she could founder q dozen yards
through the snow, the wolves would
be tearing her to shreds. Henreich
leaned forward and spoke kindly to
his animal, winch raised her ears that
were fat with terror, and fell into q
more even pace. He then turned,
and brandishing his keen edge hatchet,
shouted to the brutes, but it did not
discomft them in the least. Reach
ing forward he patted his mare with
the hand that held the reiDs, while he
held the hatchet in the other, and
kept his eyes upon the ferocious
brutcs. However, he did not use the
weapon, for the closer the wolves
kept to the sled the less they were
seen by the horse, and, as a conse-
qucnce, there was tho less probability
of her terror becoming uncomfortable,
and her breaking aside from the path.
So long as matters remained in their
relative position, Henreich felt that
all was going well. 1t was not long
before the wolves discovered that
there was little prospect of success SO
long as they remained in the track,
and they now began springing aside
and attempting to get abreast Of the
horse. III every instance they fell
behind but each effort revealed them
to the terrified mare, that had no
blinkers, and the furious plungcs she
made filled Hcnreich with the great
est anxiety.
One Of the wolves was very large,
straight-limbed, and showed speed
superior to the rest. More than once,
when no sprang out into the snow,
l,e advanced nearer abreast the horse
than did the others. Upon this gaunt
creature Henreich fixed his eye, and
canght the green light that played
from his eyelids. BY and by the snow
became fatter, and the huge wolf
again sprang aside. The speed Of
these animals is extraordinary, and he
gained rapidly. Henreich waited nn-
til he got just abreast, when, rising in
his seat, he circled the hatchet over
his head, and brought it down with
the quickncss Of lightning. The head
of the wolf was cleft in twain, and
with a dying yelp, he doubled over in
the snow, and was quickly left behind.
One Of tl,e dreaded animals was dis
patched; there were three left, as fu-
rious for blood rs ever; and these
never abated their speed in the least.
Had they got taste of the blood OF
their companion they would have
gagged themselves on him before
seeking the horse; buthe whiskedoff
the stage of life so suddenly that they
scarcely noticed his absence.
The distance from home was rapid
ly diminishing beneath the quick steps
of the mare, which continued to carry
the sled at full speed, until the fear of
overturning became again source of
anxiety. Henrcich, too, had learned
by this time, that these were no Or
dinary animals with which he had to
deal, but sharp-set, fiercely courage
Gus and determined brutes, to which
man or beast would be alike welcome,
their preference, however, as mani
tested by their actions, being for
horsefesh. These were not the ami
mails to b. frightened away by the
sight of a mans house, and there was
a bad open space between the out
skirts Of the forest and Hcnreich's
house, to which he looked with no
little apprehension.
They had now approached the very !
edge Of the wood, and the wolves be-
gan gaining on each other. The ter
horse became nncOntrOll-
able, and, bounding terrifcally for
ward, caught the sled against the
stump of tree, overturning it, and
galloped away ut n full run, leaving
lIcnreich alone in the snow. Before
he could e&e he felt the brutes claw
ing at his throat, but his garments
were SO thick that he was saved from
injury; and, rising to his feet, threw
them off. His hatchet had been jerk
ed out of his hand as he fell, and he
looked desperately around for it, but
It was not to be fonnd.
BY this time the mare was almost
out of sight and two Of the wolves
were upon the dcfenseless man and
the other, deserting the animal,
bounded back. Henreich faced the
foremost, and the next moment was
The powerful man now
called into play all the strength for
which he was 50 renowned. He struck
Fnriously at the leaping, snaring
brutcs, and flung them off when they
attempted to cling to him. Had he