The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-29


torrent Of black forms, tumbling madly
over each other, like aome black food shoot
ing down rapids. But now it was gone
Only the dark shadows Of the far-of fir
were seen, and above these shadows The
spectral frs themselves, shvering, now ant
then, as it were, in the icy atmosphere
while high over all, swept past the leaden
colored, oninous storm clouds. No. There
it was again, resolving itself, as it came
nearer, into a mass Of dusky forms, mixed
altogether and careering down upon the
slcdge. Ho could see, even at that distance
the gleam of a hundred hungry eyes, and
hear every moment, more and more distinct,
the snarling and yelping.
ave are lost" cried the Moujik, glancing
over his shoulder. "oh my lord baron,
how they gain on u.s."
But the baron came of long line OF
knightly ancestors, many of whom had led
forlorn hopes, or fallen in hopeless sallies,
and he was not one to die withouta struggle,
or even lose his presence of mind, although
in face of the greatest and most unexpected
of dangers.
"Courage, courage" he said. "I have
my rifle here. never travel without it.
Only keep your horses up to their work."
Meantime, the wolves came on swiftly,
and it was plain that in five minutes they
would be on him. He cooked his rifle cool
ly, and waited.
"The whole forest is alive with them,"
he said to himself. ain this half-light,
they look like hundreds. l doubt if doz-
en- rifles would turn them back. The very
momentum of those behind will impel the
mass onward, no matter how many fall in
front. Here goes?"
He fired, as he spoke, at the foremost Of
the gang, great, gaunt giant, famished
with long winter, who was coming on,
with head erect, teeth glttering, and hairs
on end, while, at his heels, the hungry
pack followed tumutuously, dark, sway
ing mass, yelping and snarlng.
The mighty beast rolled over, stone dead,
so sure had been the aim, and for a second
of time, the pack appeared checked in its
career. But the next instant the body dis
appeared under the advancing mass that
poured down on the sledge like the Vistula
in flood.
"Faster, faster," cried the young man, fit
ting another bullet into his breech- loader.
The frightened steeds required no whip,
however; instinct made them fully aware
of their peril and they were laundering
on now. with wildly heavng fanks and
strained, outstretched necks.
ola he has it," the baron cried, as he
brought down another wolf, the one that had
taken the place of the dead leader, "and you
and you-great heavens, will nothing stop
them?"
For though no less than six had now fall
len, others came pouring on. If it bad been
a score he had slain it would have been the
same. They were now within twenty yards
of the sledge. Two gaunt wolves went
down before his rifle. Now they were with
in fifteen yards. The foremost was so nigh,
indeed, that the traveller seemed actually to
feel his hot breath.
"Faster, faster," he cried.
Mad with terror, the Mouiik applied his
lash. The horses sprang forward anew as il
concentrating all their strength in last eff.
fort, and, for moment, the wolves seemed
to be falling behind. But just as the baron
was congratulating himself on this there
came a burst Of howls from ahead new
troop dashed out of the forest there the
steeds recoiled on their launches with a
wild snort; a huge, shaggy monster sprang
at the throat of the off horse the sedge
stopped with a jerk that nearly threw the
baron from his feet and then the wolves
in what seemed to be one dense mass, pre-
cipitated themselves from front and rear
upon their prey.
Meanwhile the Countess Olga had been
suffering torments of anxiety and doubt
Her lover had been expected long ago, and
as the posts ran with great regularity, hi;
non appearance began to be alarming. A:
hour after hour passed, and the darkness;
approached, the poor girl, who had been
walking the floor, going to the window to
look out every few minutes, could no Longer
maintain silence.
81 am sure something terrible has hap
pened," she said, wringing her hands. al
am sure OF it,"
Her mother tried to cheer her though her
self torn with doubt Perhaps" she urged
"the sledge has broken down between two
post stations; that would cause delay in
getting another"
"Do you think So" cried tho daughter
eagerly. ado you really think so? But
oh mamma, that would compel them to
cross the forest after dark, and you know the
wolves have been so thick there this terrible
winter"
Alas the mother for an hour past, had
been thinking of this very danger. What
could she say to comfort her child?
"only last week." cried the girl, with a
shudder, stopping in her walk again, "they
devoured a poor Moujik, as you know, who
had been belated-"
"Yesl know, dear. But it's not likely
] Carl would venture after nightj they would
MT let him at the post station. Try to be
quiet, my love. Bright and early, to-mor-
| row he will be here"
"They couldn't stop him at the station,
You know that, mamma, as well as do.
Yon tell me to be quiet" wringing her hands,
"to wait till morning sAall die from
suspense before morning, Even now"
But she broke down, covering her face
with her hands, shuddering.
"At the worst, he will be armed" inter
posed the mother. "He was the best shot
at Baden Baden, as Alexis has often told us.
Come, rest your head on me dear; don't
give way soj I'm sure all will be right
All /! here comes Alexis himself have
been wondering where he was. He will tell
you there is no danger"
The brother, tall, handsome man, with
that blonde German beauty that so many
af tho Rnssian npnar claesas nossaaa anna