Connecticut western news., 1892-07-21
THE BIG GRAY WOLF.

and Antoine Savary were French boys of the department of the Yonne. They shared everything, were nearly always together.
 Just before the invasion of Russia by the emperor a number of recruits be- longing to the village were allowed to return home for visit, and the two boys heard their stories of the last cam paign.
 As Jean could beat the drum. and An toine was an excellent fifer, the recruits begged the parents of the boys to let them go to the army and share in the glory of taking the capital of the czar.
 The parents agreed, and when the re- cruits went back the boys went too, and were accepted by the mastering officer. He said he needed good drummer and fifer and was glad to see them. Long before they reached Moscow both had become prime favorites in the regiment.
 It was dreary time for the French army when it started away on that fa- nous retreat from the city of the czars. Winter had set in, the earth was white with deep snows, the air was bitter and cold. Before they had gone far hun dreds of soldiers froze to death.
 At night the wolves would fill the frosty air with their howls, and when a man dropped out of the ranks they would rush down upon him and devour him before his comrades. They were large and fierce, and they came in great packs and sometimes could not be driven of, not even by a fusillade.
 One evening near sundown Jean came to Antoine and said he had discovered a farmhouse near by. He thought they might get some warm milk for them selves by telling the people how ex- hausted they were.
 The boys stole off, Jean with his drum and Antoine with musket and some ammunition, which had been given him by soldier who had been transferred to one of the ambulances.
 When they reached the place, instead of farmhouse they found hut nearly ready to crumble to pieces, and no sign of any one near.
 As they passed into the hut something rushed out with snarl, and the boys found they had disturbed large gray wolf. ....# ....r
 The hungry boys started back. Night came sooner than common. Darkness suddenly swooped down on all the vast, snowy plain. When they tried to find the army they could not.
 Suddenly there entered the cabin a long, low howl that startled the young musicians.
 ssThe wolves have comep cried An toine, springing up and running to the door, which they had shut.
 On the snow stood huge wolf whose sides shone like silver, showing that he wore 8 gray coat. He seemed to head the pack. He had brought them all on the boys track.
 Antoine was for firing at the wolf, but Jean said it would only precipitate an attack. They had hopes that some of Prince Murat's horsemen would come along and rescue them without further dangers.
 By and by the wolves became bolder. The boys saw them come almost close enough to be struck with stone. They had discovered the young musicians, and now they began to set up their long, pc culiar howl.
 Jean seized the drumsticks and beat the rataplan in hopes of frightening the | beasts off, but the music made them howl the more.
 "Here they come, Jeanr exclaimed Antoine. Look to the doorl If they throw themselves against 1t in body it will not keep them out"
 The pack in front had risen and were rushing forward. Antoine thrust the muzzle of his musket through crack and fired into the bowling, struggling | mass.
 | Several yelps of pain attested the | power of the shot. The wolves drew off, carrying with them dead comrade and devoured him before the boys eyes
 Antoine had reloaded. They stood against the door and awaited another | attack.
 Jean seized his drum. The little mu sician of the Tonne played as he haG never played before; his drumstick. flew, warming his half frozen finger. and filling the old shanty with strange music, the roll call of Napoleon's army
 The hut was not high and its roof wa. covered with heavy snow. Suddenly tn, boys saw several wolves leap up and dis appear. They seemed to have bounded toward the roof, and when Jean crie( out that he heard something overhead they both knew that the animals wer, on the hut.
 Yes, the wolves were up there, tryins to scratch the snow away, that the, might leap down into the cabin ant make short work of the young soldiers For moment Jean and Antoine shranl together aghast.
 Look! the door! the doori' shouted Jean, dropping his drumstick. 'The, are here again, Antoine"
 Once more the boy with the muske fired at the lot outside to hear anothe howl and to see the pack devour slai1 comrade.
 But this time the wolves did not fal back; they continued to try to force tn door while Antoine reloaded with hal frozen hands and Jean held the barri cade.
 The animals on the housetop made good deal of noise, and the boys had be gun to think the roof could not b forced, when Jean cried out that pal of eyes were gleaming overhead, an the young soldiers looked and both sa' the head of 8 wolf.
 Ut is the big fellow" said Antoine bringing his musket to bear on the al partition. ''It is the head of the wolf " disturbed when we came to the hut"
 The next moment the cabin was file with smoke and the boys saw the hea vanish, and the stars only were see through the hole in the roof.
 The assaults of the ravenous beas apw began t0 ssu eu the stysugth of th