The Opelousas courier., 1891-08-01

BY the dismal sounds, were leaping over
the crisp snow in flying bounds, with
nostrils distended, and names and tails
coursing through the frosty air like
streamers. The bowls grew nearer,
more numerous, more distinct and
threatening every moment.
Fortunately / had a revolver in my
pocket, though | seldom carried one on
an occasion like this. Every chamber I
knew was loaded, and I thanked my
lucky stars that it was so. If they over
took us some of them would suffer.
The horses required no urging. Terror
was a sufficient spur. They sped on like
the rushing wind, snorting in fear as
they heard our pursuers. The circle was
~momentarily narrowing. Already 9
hundred cleaning eyes shot lurid fire Out
of the darkness. They were all around,
and their long bayiug howls rang out or
the frosty air like the peal of doom.
Some were pursuing-some heading
US off, and more pressing in upon oul
sides. We were literally surrounded
hemmed in-cut off from all outward
succor, with nothing but our own hands,
and a single revolver for defense. They
approached us with flying leaps, their
dismal howls terminating in sharp,
short, angry %snarls, as though they had
bitten them off in the impotency of their
rage.
l felt the full measure of our peril,
and was determined not TO waste a shot.
As near as | could Judge we had made a
little less than one half of the distance
we were to go, and were pephaps with
in two or three miles of Mr.. Jaggers'
residence. IT we could only reach here
we would be safe, but that was impossi-
BILE, unless we could fight or cut our way
through the hungry, ravenous pack.
| waited with all the GOODNESS and de-
liberation | could muster, until the fore.
most of the pack-a long, gaunt mon
ter-was within three feet of the cutter.
Then ! fired, taking accurate aim be-
tween the two fiaring green orbs.
The bullet went crashing through the
skull of the maddened brute, dropping
him as though he never meditated mis-
chief. Another leaped over his pros
trate carcass, and received a similar
gratuity. Two shots were expended,
and but four left. They were pressing
in upon all sides. How could / husband
them longer2
/ fired as fast as they came, and quick
er than / can tell it, the four remaining
shots were expended, and tour more of
the savage brutes were left behind,
kicking and writhing in the snow.
When my last shot was fired, I turned a
despairing look upon my to trembling
companions.
They were locked in each others
arms, and their faces were as white as
ashes. One of the fercest of the pack
had fastened to the side of the cutter,
and was tearing away at the shawls and
wrappers that covered the shrinking
form of Helen. / turned, showing my
left foot under the seat as I did so, to
add to the force and momentum of the
and struck a terrific blow at
the head of the ravenous brute.
He loosened his hold upon the cutter,
and dropped behind but his place was
in a twinkling by others of the
pack. NY foot, in striking at
the brute, had come in contact with
something underneath the seat, and
with the desperation of a drowning per-
ION / reached under and elutched It.
Idrew it out quickly, with some weak,
thrill akin to hope. It was a han
lie to something had grasped. There
vas o steel-hke glimmer in the dim,
white light of the Wintry moon. Great
Heaven! how my heart leaped. / held
n my grasp a sharp, strong Ratchet. /
lealt my blows right and left-some-
with precision, oftener at random;
md in five minutes more | had hewed
ny way clear of the pack.
On rushed the noble grays at the rate
# twenty miles an hour. Helen and
Mabel saw that we had escaped danger,
nd in the sudden reaction from despair
0 hope, both sank fainting in the bot
ON of the cutter. There was no help
or it. Icould not stop to look after
hem in the midst of the freezing cold,
nd the danger Of our surroundings; but
esolving to stop when we reached the
louse of Jaggers, I drew the buffalo
ebes more closely around them, and
leld firmly to the straining ribbons.
A few minutes after this we passed
Hilbert Lyon, seated on his ox-sled. We
BON left him far behind, and five min
ties after we drew rein in front of Mi.
aggers' house.
The family came out and assisted me
i getting the young ladies into the warm
nd comfortable kitchen, where at least
quarter Of a cord of wood was blazing
d the ample fireplace.
The horses were driven into an adjoin-
ng shed, and warmly blanketed. Helen
nd Mabel were soon restored to a con
ciousness OF warmth and safety, after
he terrible cold and fright they had ex-
'erienced.
When we were all seated around the
re ! related, to their amazement, our
erilous encounter with the wolves.
The young wife shuddered as ! CON
and wondered If Gilbert would
e thoughtless enough to start that night
ON st. Cloud? I told her that we had
assed him a mile Of two back, seated en-
is sled, but did not speak to him.
About twenty minutes later We heard
$500 -. ~ u