Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-07-09

'Well. they can't getin, that's one com
fort
Are you sure?' asked his sister. her
teeth chattering with fear.
''They can only come down the Chin
ney,' was the answer; 'sand they'll
hardly do that while the fire is burn
ing"
'sBut we'll soon burn up all the wood
in the house, jack
''Then I'll get more,'' was the cour-
ageous answer.
but the wolves, Jack?''
''Oh, there's the Winchester. Kitty.
can take care of them with that
Meanwhile baby had awakened and
was crying Justify. The wolves evil
IDENTIFY heard the noise and became
more violent. AZ the door, the front
window and around the caves at the
north end, they scratched furiously.
stopping every few minutes to give
mournful howl There was nothing
for the young folks to do but await de-
velopments, and this was very trying.
Once or twice Jack felt unable to en-
dure the suspense and started toward
the door, as if to go out, but at Kitty's
pleading he abandoned the idea
At length glimmer of daylight came
through the cracks in the front window
shutter. At times this would be OBJ
scured by moving form, and at times
loud sniffle would be heard as one of
the beasts would put his nose to the
window and try to test by scent the
probable nature of the longed-for prey
within.
When this had happened three or
four times, Jack could stand it no long
err. He sprang to his feet, took down
the Winchester and dropped some cart
ridges into it. Just at that moment
sound of breaking glass came from the
window, and the next instant VOLTS
nose was pressed close against crack
in the shutter and he shifted the air,
furiOusly. With bound, Jack reached
the window and, placing the muzzle of
the rifle an inch or two from where the
shadow obscured the light pulled the
trigger. The report rang out; baby
screamed; even Kitty sprang to her
feet in surprise; but out of doors all was
still for moment. Then angry snarls
were heard, as though the wolves were
fighting over something. This con-
tinued for long time, and then came
silence. The besieged breathed more
freely. It seemed as if all danger was
passed.
There really never was any danger,
Kitty" said Jack; for they couldn't
get in the house. 1 guess they've all
gone now"
Yes" replied his sister, land it's
time we had breakfast" and she went
to the kitchen to begin preparations.
Had they been able to sec what was
going on out Of doors, they would
scarcely have felt at ease.
At least thirty gaunt, gray creatures
surrounded the cabin and stable, their
appetites whetted by the blood of their
companion, which had fallen a victim
to Jacks rifle. Most of them had with
drawn a short distance from the house,
and were sitting upon the snow, as if
waiting for some demonstration on the
part of the besieged. A few of them
were digging in the snow about the
stable door.
''While you're getting breakfast,
Kitty, I'll go out to the stable,'' said
Jack.
''Oh, don't go out just now" pleaded
his sister. ''Wait little WHILE
''We1, I'll look out the window, any
way" he said; and, going back to the
front room, he cautiously took down
the shutter. The snow, which reached
nearly to the window-sill, was blood
stained, and was trampled down over a
considerable area, with tufts of hair
scattered around. No wolves were in
sight. Hastily replacing the shutter,
Jack went to the south window, but
found that this had been completely
covered by drift that had formed dur
ing the night.
Il guess it's all safe to go to the
sta BILE. Kitty" said he; ''but I'll take
the Winchester with me;'' and, rifle in
hand, he opened the door.
At the instant he stood in the door
way huge wolf sprang toward him.
1t was not twenty feet distant. Jack S
heart seemed to rise in his throat. He
was sure it stopped beating: but his
presence of mind did not desert him.
Down dropped the rifle muzzle, out
rang the sharp report, and the gray
monster which had risen to a second
spring that, if not checked, would have
carried him fairly upon the lad, dropped
dead. alnsst on the very threshold.
Jack sprang within and shut the door,
but at that instant a crash came at the
front room, and the shutter. which had
not been very securely fastened. fell
upon the floor. Kitty, turning to look.
uttered a piercing shrek. There in
the unguarded window were the head
and shoulders of wolf.
''Look, Jack, look!' she screamed,
and running to the corner where baby
was sitting, caught the little one in her
arms.
Before Jack could get in range of the
window, the wolf sprang lightly in,
and the head of another appeared in
the opening. 1t was critical moment
There was no time for thought, and
prompted solely by that strange in
stinct which comes so often to our aid
in great emergencies. Jack aimed at
the beast in the window and fired. The
creature gave howl of pain and fell.
blocking the window almost complete
~.
The Winchester was now empty. for
Jack had only put in three cartridges,
and, practically without means of at
tack or defense. he stood facing the
wolf, which crouched in skulking
way, as if more than half frightened at
its surroundings. Gaining confidence
after few moments, it begun to
sneak forward showing its yellOwiSh