Dodge City times., 1888-01-05
oil right We've got to skate for it

'At that moment we heard the snap
of twigs, as though some animsl wss
making its way through the woods.
Hastily examining my skate and
finding it secure. we dashed down the
river. the trees that lined its shores
seeming to fly past as they do wh en-
riding on a fast express
'''They are after u.s. said Frank
1 can't tell how many vet; I don't
dare to turn my head. Look out for
that fssure in the ice mile ahead
here
'.As good skater as was, and
had always been proud of my skill in
that direction. Frank was a better one.
He had more than once ou,stripped
me in friendly trial at speed. yet he
did not skate foot ahead of me now,
keeping close to my side. A brave,
generous, COOL clear-headed boy in
the hour Of danger.
'On we went. every nerve and
muscle strained to its utmost. l could
not help thinking. as the fierce howls
drew nearer. what if strap sho ould
give way. or should trip on stick.
or some crevice in the ice.
Nearer and nearer they came, un.
til we could hear the pattering of their
feet on the ice. and every half-minute
a yelp told US they were in eager, hot
| pursuit.
Doing our uttermost skating for
our lives. rs we knew we we're, yet
they gained on us until we could hear
plainly their painting breath.
81 think-I know-thcre are but
two,' said Frank. who still kept by my
side. when they get too close, skate
after me to the right; and then turn
back-thcy can't turn on the smooth
ice.'
1.-The advice did not come a second
too soon. for at that instant the wolves
sprang forward. their teeth clashing
together in way that made my heart
leap.
Now, quick"
Il followed him. and the wolves,
CCs
slipped and sailed far ahead.
Frank in few words explained to
me that wolves. by the formation of
their feet. are unable to run on ice ex-
cept in a straight line, and that by
quickly turning aside whenever they
come too near, and then skating back a
few yards. we could again turn and
dash directly past them. In this way
we could gain seventy-fve or hum
dred yards each turning.
Had the danger been less great. 1t
would have been laughable sight to
see the two wolves, as we glided round
and swept past them. slipping on their
launches and sailing onward, help
less and raging. their white fangs
cleaning. as they howled with fury
and baf1led rage.
But we did not think of this then.
We understood only too we'll the dam
ger. If our skates failed for one in
stant.if we delayed the turn for an in
slant too long. and those cleaning
teeth closed upon our garments even,
all was over with us.
"At last. in the distance, glimmercd
the home-light. Would the brutes
follow us to the very shore opposite
the house? We could not stop to re-
move our skates. We dare not at
tempt the bank, even directly in front
of the house, should they still be in
pursuit
".Sing out, Bert, said Frank, as we
drew near We must make them |
hear us. Sing out with all your
strength.
"And sing out 1 did, although my
breath came quick and painting.
Fortunately. my uncle had stepped
outside the door to speak to one of his
men. Fortunately. say, for 1 doubt
if 1 should have been left to tell this
story but for that
Hearing our shout. they both came
forward. and one glance in the clear
moonlight revealed our situation.
"'We will be with you, boys. they
shouted, rs we dashed past. and in a
minute were at tho bank, armed with
two good rifles
I'VE turned. The wolves slipped.
fell and went onward. then regained
footing and came after us. only to re-
ceive two ringing shots One fell. but
it took second shot to stretch tn &
other motionless on the ice.
las l looked at their shaggy forms
and frothing mouths. lclt that life in
the West, with its wild sports and
dangerous adventures, was not so de-
sirable a life. after all. "-Salie L.
Packard, in Golden Days.
HOW CESAR GOT AHEAD.