Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-07-17

WleQ our ears WSzS SE6TIlcu Oy o1S-@1@A
howl at no great distance, which was
quickly answered by similar sounds far
Their off.
I turned to the girls for an explana-
ton, for the sounds were new to me,
when noticed with alarm that they were
trembling violently, and what could be
seen OF their faces was deadly pale. 1t
was evident from their scared and
startled appearance that they were terri
bly, frightened.
"For Heavens sake, Helen-Mabel-
what is the matter2 Was there anything
in what we just heard to alarm you
thus?" anxiously inquired.
"God help usl" answered Helen, with
a shudder; ''the wolves arc on our
track!''
I had never before heard the howl of
those prairie demons, which are coward
ly enough, except when driven by
hunger, or raiding together in large
packs.
On this occasion it was evident, from
the repeated bowls in all directions, that
we were literally surrounded. What was
to be done more than we were already
doing2 The horses, already frightened
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 ana
threatening every moment.
Fortunately I had a revolver in my
pocket, though seldom carried one on
an occasion like this. Every chamber l
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 sufficient spur. They sped on like
the rushing wind, snorting in fear as
they heard our pursuers. The circle was
momentarily narrowing. Already a
hundred cleaning eyes shot lurid fire out
of the darkness. They were all around,
and their long bayiug bowls rang out on
the frosty air like the peal of doom.
Some were pursuing-some heading
us off, and more pressing in upon our
sides. We were literally surrounded
hemmed in-cut off from all outward
succor, with nothing but our own hands,
and single revolver for defense. They
approached us with flying leaps, their
dismal bowls terminating in sharp,
short, angry snarls, as though they had
bitten them off in the impotency of their
| rage.
felt the full measure of our peril,
and was determined not 10 waste 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. If 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.
I waited with all the GOODNESS and de-
| liberation I could muster, until the fore
most of the pack-a long, gaunt mon
| ter-was within three feet of the cutter.
Then I fired, taking accurate aim be-
tween the two faring 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 I husband
them longer?
l fired as fast as they came, and quick
er than can tell it, the four remaining
shots were expended, and four more OF
the savage brutes were left behind,
kicking and writhing in the snow.
! When my last shot was fired, I turned a
despai-ing look upon my to trembling
companions.
They were locked in each other
arms, and their faces were as white as
ashes. One of the fiercest of the pack
and was tearing away at the shawls and
wrappers that covered the shrinking
form of Helen. I turned, showing my
left foot under the seat as did so, to
add to the force and momentum of the
movement, and struck terrific blow at
the head of the ravenous brute.
He loosened his hold upon the cutter,
and dropped behind; but his place was
filled in twinkling by others Of the
hungry pack. My foot, in striking at
the brute, had come in contact with
something underneath the seat, and
with the desperation of a drowning per-
son I reached under and clutched it.
drew it out. quickly, with some weak,
faint thrill akin to hope. 1t was han
die to something had grasped. There
was steel-hke glimmer in the dim,
white light of the wintrY moon. Great
Heaven! how my heart leaped. I held