Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-05
Gales aud Sketfhfs.
SKATING FOR LIFE.
fco.tinued from yesterday. }

(Continued from yesterday
Only a mile more, Could we distance
them enough to gain time to rush up the
steep bank to our house fettered as We
would be In the snow by our skates. The
chase was already telling upon US. our
breath came in labored gasps and our
throats were dry and parched. while the
wolves so far from showing any signs OF
I fear as thev neared the settlements. seemed
| 70 grow more eager to seize US before we
could escape. Their hot tongues were
lolIinp and we could hear their quick
painting. but their steady speed was not in
I the least diminished. We did not speak
l for we could not stop for that. Every
nerve was strained 10 the utmost BY
shooting them and doubling rapidly we
gained little, for a volt (or any dog
/ footed anfmal) can only go straight ahead
on smooth ice The moment they try TO
turn quickly they fall and then slide along
on their sides in the direction they were
running. The faster the speed the longer
will be their slide That was what saved
/ Us as the old Dutchman had foreseen. and
we actually laughed in spite of our great
danger at the yelps of baffled rage, and
bowls of astonishment from those wolves,
as thev went sliding along in confused
mass while we darted first TO one side then
the other. and we grew so reckless that
we would wait until they almost snapped
their white teeth at our heels before turn
/ ing. When we rounded the bend and
came in sight of home what was our as
constituent to hear Braves frantic barks
and see a solitary figure on the ice by the
landing gesticulating wildly, while the
dog ran first to a hole in the high bank OF
snow then leaped around, as if warning
him of his danger.
As we came nearer we recognized
George-the boy who was almost afraid
of his own shadow-who would shudder
and turn pale at the mention of wolves,
standing there firm and undaunted in the
face of scores of yelping, bowling blood
thirsty brutes. 1t was something we
couldn't Just see through though we did
later.
''Come in here" he shouted, his shrill
voice barely heard above the snarling and
yelling of the wolves. Waving an answer
we turned and sped away to the right un-
I'll nearly opposite the cabin. then dashed
across straight for the hole in the snow
bank. George and Brave followed.
George stopping just long enough to swing
heavy door against the entrance at the
same moment the yelping pack reached it.
Then he led the way up through tunnel
of snow, and before we realized that our
peril was over we stood safe and sound in
our. woodshed, though little out of
breath TO be sure.
John and George with the two younger
boys had dug deep hole in the great
depth by the river, as large as small
sized room. and named it ''Crusoe's Cave"
in honor of the romance of Robinson
Crusoe which John had just finished read
ing aloud to them. They had even gone
so far as to build huge mound of snow
on the bank, stamping it down tightly,
which they called MT. Lookout" Not
content with this. they had tunneled up
through the snow and gravel to the top Of
the bank. and from there to the shed
which they entered by an unused window.
They laid cedar splits on the top of the
tunnel, covering them with more snow,
thus Strengthening it and making it more
lasting. With stout door and frame,
made fast by pouring cold water on the
snow around it until it was set in solid ice,
their cave was complete.
u
Sam and had reason to be truly thank
full. They had completed it that very day
and. having worked on it while Sam and
were in the woods getting fuel, we had
known nothing about it. The wolves
followed us to the opening and stood there
yelling with rage and tumbling and fight
ing among themselves. Granther hitched
his chair along the window. 1t was more
than he could stand. and he sung out as
we entered the house:
Hand me that rifle, boys, and you
stand bv and keep the guns and pistols
loaded for me. III make some of EN-
wish they'd stayed ter hum. Don't s'pose
We'll git any of the pelts though. The
varmuns won't know enuff ter leave
them"
And the plucky old man sat there and
fired through the window as fast as he
could load. The reports rang out on the
night air. and with each spiteful puff a
grey form would bound high above the
rest, only to fall heavy on the ice, and be
devoured by its hungry comrades.
Guess kin kill as fast as you kin eat
anyhow" said Granther grimlv. Barve
stood between mother and Eliza. by the
other window, with two paws on the sill =,
watching the scene on the ice with excited
growls of satisfaction.
For while it seemed as if Granther
could not furnish food as fast as wanted.
tor they kept collecting from up river un-
til the ice was almost covered with their
skulking grey forms. At last. however.
they trotted away up river again, having
their numbers visibly lessened, and what
was left provided with one good supper
Once and awhile one would pause as If not
quite satisfied, and look back with glis-
tening eyes and reeking jaws, towards the
scene of the slaughter, but he would soon
be brought to a sense of his situation by
Granther's rifle, and at last they were all
out of sight around the bend Then
nothing would do but Sam and must go
and see if any of the skins were worth
taking as soon as Granther thought it was
safe to venture out. We found about five
among the pile of bloody fur and bones.
evidently the last ones shot
These we dragged to the house to skin
I in tho y,,orpipv