Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-08-17

mentS before Sne n0u C0rrlcu III OUT Vi
the tent and laid it down in the bushes
with the butt end toward the camp.
"But it wasn't loaded" l replied an
grily.
"Well, dear, rifles go off sometimes
when they ain't loaded she answered.
knew by this that aunt was very
very nervous or she never would have
made such foolish speech. "Our last
hope is gone then" / said with groan.
"Now keep still; not n word for your
lives! Perhaps the wolves may go in
another direction, they may be chasing
q deer"
The moment said evolves" the En-
glish nurse tainted. Let her alone"
said aunt. eff you bring her to her
senses she will faint again. l am sure
if have got to be eaten by wolves |
had rather faint too, then | shouldn't
know anything about it."
Hush! Listen!"
We held our breath. This is what we
heard; A howl or two, cracking and
rustling of twigs, the noise of long leaps
through the underbush, and then, oh,
horror! the sound of animals rushing
tmad:y around the tents. The chill
dren's aunt had been peeping through
a small hole in one side of the tent.
"Look! for mercy's sake, Iook!" she
gasped
1 put my eyes close te the rent and
there, rushing wildly about. were four
great, lean, shaggy brutesl BY the light
of the camp fire l could see their gilt
ring eyes, red tongues and sharp
white teeth.
drew back i'll horror. "Try the tin
pan" said I.
Rob beat lively tattoo with the pud-
ding stick. For moment the patter of
paws ceased, only to begin again more
madly than before.
80, dear!' moaned amt in despair.
"Any decent wolf would have been
afraid of camp fire, to say nothing of
such racket as this.
She seized the oar and put herself in
a war-like attitude.
Just then one of the creatures outside |
brushed against the tent, while asother
ran shifting about and even ventured
his nose under the canvas flaps.
Something must be DONE" ex-
claimed aunt with the air of one re-
solved ''to do or die" II have often
read that wild beast will quail before
the steady gaze of the human eye.
"Then she drew herself up looking the
picture Of a veritable Lady Macbeth.
1.-The trouble is, / can't look in four
pairs of eyes at once"
"ALd while you were staring at one
wolf the others would eat you up" L
Young woman, this is no time for
testing" said aunt, solemnIy. Heaven
knows what will become of lis.
at this Instant 1t t1ashed before my
mind that there was something familiar
in the sound of the bowling outside. 1
took another look through tue little
then whistled softly. Drop
ping the hunting knife I had been brand
ishing and running to the entrance I
began untying the canvas flaps.
"Aunt," said I, '1isten! Do you hear
Those are not wolves, they are dogs
I am sure of it.
In another moment four great, tawny
hounds were leaping about me, putting
their paws on my shoulders, nearly
knocking me down in their attempt to
express their Joy.
I led the way to the tent where our
supplies were stored, and throwing
them some food knew from the greedy
way in which they siezed 1t that they
had been off on long trail, 1t often
happens that hunting dogs get lost
whIle on the scent of an animal. In
such cases they always make their way
to the nearest camp. After the hounds
had satisfied their hunger they fol-
lowed me to the sleeping tent.
1 found the children's aunt and the
English nurse pale but calm. with the
happy Rob between them. We left the
tent flaps open and the CHEEKY freight
shone inside the camp the largest dog
stretched himself before the entrance
as If to say: "I'm going to keep watch
here tonight" while the others took
their places by the chiIdren's beds.
Then we fell asleep, safe, indeed. under
the watchfuI care of our new-found