The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-10-14

which may be able TO reach before the
storm sets in"
"That I'm sure you'll not do" replied
the miller, with a dubious shake of the
head ''but if you're determined to go,
I'll not keep you any longer, and the
sooner you're off the better"
"If the matter concerned nobody OK
cept myself" | rejoined, as | gathered |
up my reins, 81 would take your advice
and remain but as my parents are ex-
pectng me, the very fact of the storm
will make them painfully anxious till |
they see me and so, with many thanks,
/ will say good-day"
AS spoke touched my horse, and |
away we shot--mll, miller, and village |
quickly disappearing from my view as !
flew over the crest of near activity and |
struck the prairie road, which stretched |
homeward almost in a bee-line for ten |
good miles.
But fast as was the speed with which
had set out, had not gained mile before
the storm had broken with fury.
The snow, fine and dry, fell rapidly
and being hurled forward by fierce,
bowling wind, it cut the tender skin like
a knife, and nearly blinded myself and
beast. From the very first, too, it com
mcnced to drift, and before had reach
ed the end of the second mile, it began
to prove troublesome to my gallant beast
causing him to labor and founder as he
attempted to dash through it at his usual
speed.
The prospect before me for the next
eight miles was now pretty gloomy. The
kindly warning of the miller REQUIRED
to me with additional force ; and while
in a manner debating with myself wheth-
er had not better turn back, | mechan
icaly urged on my strong, fleet horse,
with kind of desperate hope that !
should yet get safely through within the
next few hours at the farthest.
In this way | entered the long, gloomy
wood, which, in some degree, broke the
force of the storm but just as | was
congratulating myself upon this slightly
che ering fact, there suddenly fell upon
my ear the prolonged, dismal howl of
rowing wolf.
This was quickly answered by anoth-
er, and another, and still by others, in
different directions, showing that these
Wild ferocious, though cowardly beasts,
were now gathering together into
formidable pack-which result, with
hunger as an incentive, might give them
the courage to attack any living thing
they had force enough to destroy.
NV horse now became frightened as
we'll as myself, and broke into run. l
did not attempt to check him, but mere
ly to keep him in the road, which |
could trace by line of light that fell
: through the opening above-the wood,
Oh either side, having dark and gloomy
look, well calculated to make lad'ot
= thirteen feel timid, even without the
known danger from gathering wolves
On. on we went, at breakneck speed,
the half-maddened horse occasionally
striking "a drift and plunging through it
y with such force as to make everything
n quiver, and fill me with terror lest some
a thing should give way and leave me at
y the mercy of the bowling beasts, which,
in Judging from the sounds. were every
es moment drawing nearer and nearer as II
they had already scented us out and
H. doomed us to destruction.
II, When about half way through tn,
Up wood the frightened horse began tc
Of snort wildly, and spring from side tC
lat side in manner that threatened to break
V, or upset the pung and on looking to
Il the cause, found it in the fiery eyes anc
Id dusky forms which were keeping pace
ne with us on either side of the road.
I'd Yes, the wolves had actually reached
TX u.s. and were now waiting for some ia
ad vorable opportunity to pounce upon us
X and | felt that the least accident woul'
1t prove fatal. They were every minut
OF becoming bolder too and in the bar
be hope of frightening them, and givin!
ry some relief to my despairing heart,
M stood up, and shouted, and cracked m
whip, and struck to the right and left
en- cutting two or three across the face
Ol causing them to snarl and fall back
little, and with them the whole pack.
he But it is was not for long. Maddene
Ter with hunger they pressed up around
again and though they still forbore
OF make direct attack, there was no tel
he ing what moment they would, and there
Isl fore | felt my life was hanging on ban
ou thread.
on That might have greater freedom
oh act, | made She reins fast, allowed I'll
ne horse to take his own course, and the
used my whip upon every wolf l coul
t. reach, causing many an angry snarl an
growl, and sufficiently intimidating IL
- cowardly animals to keep them frol
using the brute force which they posses
L ed to destroy us at once.
nd, And how did feel in this terrible 81
wo uation Well, hardly know, for who
| look back to it, it is like the memoI
he of some horrible dream. | remember
r thought of home, of my dear parent
DDS and of their horror aud grief at tindir
ter their only child had come to such {
les untimely end and | know prayed
ds, good deal, and wondered if God thong
lies me very, very wicked, and if | shou
lin know anything after death, and VIII
kind of place should be in after tho
art awful beasts had eaten me.
I'M The snow had not drifted so badly
to the wood but that the horse could readi
ysi- plunge through it and so on and on '
en- went, our lives but a floating vapor, wi
nts our hungry, snarling foes pressing clio
around us and gradually becoming mo
the and more daring.
ght Oh, that lonely, awful, horrid night
veil AT length, still alive and uninjur'
Iree we struck the open country once mo
'eet and | now knew myself within t'
els, more miles of home.
ave Within two miles of home-witl
to two miles of my loving parents-l
with twenty ravenous beasts all arou
but me thirsting for my blood Would
vor ever see home again 7 Would the sw
rom voices OF my loving faith er and mott
urn ever again sound in my ears !
de- But half mile before me was
not dwelling of a neighbor. Coald / e,