Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-16
CHAPTER XX.-A LITTLE HERO.

How had Ladislas escaped death, lost
alone, ShipWrcclIed, as it were, in the midst
of the immense ocean of snow? After being
hurled from the sledge into the thick of the
hurricane, he arose safe and sound and sue
ceeded in crawling under bush which
served him as a refuge.
The next day, after a night of watchful
ness and anguish he courageously set out
N the direction it was probable the sledges
mad taken He knew that the fugitiyes
we're going towards the north, and ha6
learned how to tell where he was by study
mg certain undulations of the snow formed
BY the wind. But the plain stretched out
IN its terrible solitude beneath the winding
sheet of winter.
A few stunted birches and willows, which
arose here and there, resembled white
monks at prayer upon the marble of tomb
Yhe sun disappeared below the red horizon
it seemed to have melted in a conHagra
&on-;lnd great pink reflections ran shiver
ing over the silvered ground. The nigh,
game OIL and Ladislas had not seen a living
creature. He sought a shelter in forest
After having eaten little frozen bread
whicA he found in the pockets Of MS pelisse
and drunk few drops of brandy from the
small FLASK he bore about him. he fell asleep
overcome with fatigue, at the foot of tree
behind an old trunk about which the heaped
up snow formed a sort of rampant.
Very early awake he saw the day return
after long and cruel hours of waiting, and
was much surprised to perceive at short
distance reindeer browsing on the tender
portions of the branches of the birches
He ran towards the animal. To judge
from the saddle and leather bride it wore
Z was reindeer prepared for mounting,
which had strayed away. In fact, it allow.
Ell itself to be approached and seized by 3
strap,
The child climbed upon it, and thought
himself saved, when, trusting to the in.
stinCt of the intelligent creature, he realize6
that, instead of going heedlessly forward, II
was following path leading to some inhab
tied spot.
In few hours, he found himself in the
midst Of a Nallouto village, half covered by
the debris of the recent pourga. The huts
OF this village We're scattered about upon
tho snow as if thrown there by chance.
They We're, nevertheless, constructed with
exceptional solidity OF trunks and branches
Of trees.
The villagers spoke little Russian, and
IadiSlas received from them the most cor.
dial hospitality. They warmed him, gave
him an abundant repast, and helped him,
The following day, to make with some birch
limbs and straps a little sledge to which he
Aarnessed his reindeer. He asked of them
information concerning the country and
what direction it was necessary to take to
reach Niini-KolimSk-the sole means, by
leaving that station to his left, thought he
Of again finding Negor and Nadege, who
were to pass to the east of that town.
Two hours later he started on his Jour
ney, driving a sledge for the first time in
his life. This vehicle was of the most ele-
mentary description. Well wrapped in his
furs, the little Pole held in his hand the rod
which serves to direct the rein2eer and tc
stop them in case of too rapid descent on
snow-covered slopes. He went with ex-
IRENE swiftness, hoping to reach Yegor's
nartas on the morrow. He took no rest at
night, and, as the sky was clear guided
himself oy the polar star
OF all these things, Ladislas told only
what he judged proper to tell to the i'll
hooking men by whom he was surrounded,
who questioned him with curiosity, greatly
astonished to meet a child and a foreigner in
these frightful solitudes.
And the wolves" demanded Dimitri OF
him-''the wolves that were bowling behind
you, ready to devour you? Were you not
afraid of them?n
The wolves 2" said the child to the lat
ter, whose red pantaloons, ornamented with
silver and numerous and varied weapons,
sufficiently indicated the chief of the band
THE wolves that were pursuing me. They
were behind me for l know not how many
hours ~
They numbered at least two hundred! ?
said Ivan.
''At first" resumed Ladislas, ''on turning
around, saw one-one only--which did not
Brighten me much. 1t trotted along, always