The Red Cloud chief., 1881-06-02

peered forth; but in the same instant Q
snarliDg BARK ram Eight IN his ear, and
two Paws were thrust into the opening.
Then came a howl Of paia and another
raw was put into Thors wallet.
But hark! What is that? II sounds
like a SOM. or more like a hymn. The
strain comes nearer and nearer. re-
sounding from nsOssntain TO mountain,
floating peacefully through the pure
and st;ll air:
" Who knows how near I am mine ending:
SO quickly time doth pass away"
Toilet, in whose breast hope again
was reviving. put his ear TO the ice. and
heard distinctly the tread of 3 horse and
Of many human feet. He listened for
a minute or more, but could not dis.
cover whether the sound was coming
any nearer. 1t occurred to him that in
all probability the people. being IN
armed, would have no desire 10 cope
with . large pack of wolves, especially
as to them there could be no object in
it. II they saw the barrel, how could
they know that there was anybody
under it? He cOmpreheRded instantly
that his only chance of life was in join
ing those people. before they were too
far away. And, quickly resolved. he
lifted the boy on his left arm, and
graspcd the hatchet in his disengaged
hand Then. with a violent thrust, he
flung the barrel from .over.him, and ran
in the direction of the sound. The
wolves, as he had inferred. we're laccrs
ating their bleeding comrades; but the
moment they saw him, q pack of about
n dozen immediately started in pursuit.
They leapei up against him on all
sides, while he struck furiously abonf
him with his small weapon. Fortunate
~, he had sharp steel pegs on his boots.
and kept his footing well; otherwise
the combat would have been a short
one. HIS voice. too, was powerful. and
his shouts rose high above the bowling
of the beasts. He soon perceived that
he had been observed, and he saw in
the bright moonlight six or eight men
running toward him. just then, As
perhaps in his joy his vigilance was for
a fraction Of a second relaxed, he felt a
pull in the ieshy partof his right arm.
He was not conscious Of any sharp pain.
and was astonishcd TO see the blood
flowing from IN ugly wound. But he
only held his boy the more tightly,
while he fought and ran with the
strength of despair.
Now. the men were near. He could
hear their voices. But his brain was
dizzy. and he saw but dimly.
Hello, friend; don't crack my skull
for my palms,. some one wa shouting
close to his ear. and he let his Ratchet
fall, and fell himself, too, PROSTATE on
the ice.
The wolves, at the sight of the men.
which they watched the proceedings, as
if uncertain whether to return.
As soon as Toilet had recovered
somewhat from his exhaustion and his
loss Of blood, he and his boy were
placed upon a sleigh. and his wound
was carefully bandaged. He now
learned thai his rescuers were on their
way TO n funeral, which was to take
place on the next day, but, on account
of the distance to the church, they had
been Obliged to start during the night.
Hence their solemn mood, and their
singing of funeral hymns.
After an hours ride they reached the
cooper's cottage, and were invited to
rest and to share such hospitality as the
house could offer. But when they were
gone, Toilet clasped his sleeping boz in
his arms and said to his wife: If it
had not been for him, YOU would have
had no husband TODAY. 1t was his lit
tie whip and toy Ratchet that saved our
lives"
Eleven wolves'-paws were found in
Thor's wallet. and, on Christmas eve,
he went to the Sheriff with them and
received a reward which nearly burst
his old savings-bank, and compelled his
mother to buy a new onc.-Hjalnaar IA.
BoyeScn, IN 81. Nicholas.