Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-07-29

also heard it, for they sprang forward
with an impetus that almost shook
me out OF the carriage FRIGHTENED,
said to Eric, what, oh, what is
THAR" And the answer came back,
short and stern. "The Salten hounds"
Then we began that terrible chase
for dear life" which, though weshould
both live for twice our allotted span,
we never could forget. Swiftly we
sped along. Our steeds impelled by ter
ror as great as our own, until they APP
peared almost to fly. Breathlessly,
We hearkened, hoping even yet to leave
the enemy behind. But no; they trav-
lelled with US, gained upon us, nearer
and yet nearer--their cry growing per
ceptibly from an uncertain vague voice
of the darkness into the unmistaka-
IDLY wolf-like note. We knew from the
ldirection from whence it came thai
they were tracking us by scent; now
our last poor chance lay in the dark
ness of the night and our nearness to
Stor Aswan. Eric still held the reins,
and covered down at the bottom of
the sleigh and prayed more earnestly
than ] had ever yet done in my life
''for an increase of the snow-drift, or
.aught, only a miracle, if it might only
save us"
On and on, for time that seems in
terminable yet might in truth have
been but a few moments. Then the
storm ceased, and we saw hall annie
in our rear dark line coming swiftly
and steadily down upon us. In the
middle OF a white plain, with no nook
or corner visible whe tein we could take
refuge, and still neatly league from
home, our case looked hopeless enough.
So our pursuers seemed to think as
they now caught sight OF us for
the first time, and lifting their black
muzzles from the ground gave vent
to howl of savage ejaculation. /
could have screamed too when ]
heard it, for fright was driving me
half wild; it was so unutterably hor-
rible to perish thus. But a glance at
Etc, so calm and steadfast, gave me
new courage. felt that, come what
might, we should at least die together.
Faster apdfast we flew like hunted
animals, death behind us coming on
apace. A few. yards more and he
! would claim US for his own. Already
could hear the rapid breathing of
our foes, see their fierceeyes and white
teeth glittering ana cleaning in the
moonlight. Prompted by Eric 7
threw out the bearskin rug which pro-
tected us from the cold. For a mo-
ment they paused, smelt at it, then
with fresh fury rushed after their old
prey. One by one, cushions, wraps,
all went over TO the hungry pack,
each gaining us an instant's priceless
delay. As the last fell from my hand
the foremost wolf bounded forward,
just missing my arm, while his strong,
cruel Jaws met with a painfully
audible snap.
Then Eric turned and looked at me
"a long, loving glance-and began
knotting the rains to the iron side Of
the driving seat. Instinctively diyiir
ing his purpose of giving his life to save
mine, sprang forward. and clinging
to him frantically, whispered:
Dearest, remember, westand or tall
together"
A sudden thought, justified by our
dire extremity, flashed through my
brain-it was at best forlorn hope.
Quickly l bent over Eric, snatched the
hunting knife from his belt and cut
loose the nearest pony. With an al
most human cry of pain the poor ami
NAL galloped off, with the ravenous
pack after it. A few strides only and
twas. surrounded, overpowered, down,
and the last sounds we heard ere the
welcome lights of Stor Aswan came in
sight were our baiiied enemies growing
and fighting over the remains of my
gallant little steed. 1t was cruel
sacrifice, but necessity knowsno laws,
and by it we were saved.
In years after, as we sat around the
fire at "New Years Eve" with the
storm beating wildly, as now, against
the easement, and the wintry twilight
closing in, our children would ask to
hear "once more" the oft told tale of
the "Salten hounds or our fight for
dear life"