Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-21
THE BIG GRAY WOLF.

Nalsuleon's victories had set all France
ablazo with military glory. Jean Potoir
and Antoine Sayary 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 n 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
paigE
As Jean could beat the drum. and An
toino vas an excellent fifer. the recruits
bcgcl 4 the parents Of she boys to let
them 20 To the army and share in the
glory of taking the capital Of the car.
Tho Parents agreed, and when the re-
crui vent back the boys went too, and
were accepted 10y the mastering officer.
tie So. he needed n good drummer and
tifey CAd waH glad to see them. Long
before they reached Moscow both had
become prime favovites in the regiment.
Il wes y d!Cary time for the French
arm .h,u /, started away on that fa-
nous retreat from the city of the cars.
Winter had set in. the earth Was white
with iccp snows. the air was bitter and
oo!a Before they had gone far hun
Ire I soldiers froze to death.
A, aiyht the wolves would fill the
rcs air with their howls, and when q
maul.'.rcA ont Of tho ranks they would
rush Town upon him and devour him
bofo-r iiS comrades. They were larry
ana f. -rc. GHa thcy came in great packs
and aiGetimes could not be driven off.
not "a bv Il tusiIlade.
o. evening near sunlown Jean came
70 Antoine and s,id he lad discovered a
far1. aausa ,ear hv. he Thought they
mig: st some warm milk for them
iclv,s by telling the people how ex-
haus'pi they were
Tho boys stole of, Jean with his drum
ard Aatoinc with musket and some
url:I luition. which had been given him
by oldior who had been transferred to
onc cg a., a,N NbulaEces
" ~ they reached the place. instead
OF . f;,mhourc they found hut nearly
reed. - ciTu-hlc to pieces, and no sign
of any one near.
a. Ley passed into the hut something
rushed out with a snarl. and the boys
found they bud disturbed q large gray
wolf
The hungry boys started back. Night
came sooner than common. Darkness
suddenly swooped down on all tho vast,
snowy plain. When they tried to find
tho apiny they could not.
Srcdenly There entered The cabin a
long, low howl that startled tho Young
musicians
"1'Ao wolves have comet" cried An
toinc, springing up ard running To the
door. which they hal shut,
On the snow stood a huge wolf whose
sides shone like silver. showing Ia; he
wore gray coat. he seemol TO head
the pack. lie had brough, them I'll on
the hoys' track.
Antoine was for firing at the wolf, but
Jean said II would only precipitatc an
attack. They had hopes that some Of
Prince Murat's horscmen woa!d come
along and rescue them without further
dangers.
By and by the wolves became bolder
The boys saw them come almost closo
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 drriusticks and beat
the rataplan IL ho.cs Cl Frightening tho
beasts off. but the music made them
bowl the more
Here they como. Jsanlr exclaimed
Antoine. Look To the doori IL they
throw themselves against IL In q body
IL Will not keep them out"
The pack in front had riscn and were
rushing forward Antoine thrust the
muzzle of hi. musket through a crack
and fired into the bowling. struggling
mass.
Several yelps Of pain nttested tho
power Of the shot. The wolves drew
off. carrying with them dead comrade.
and devoured him before the boys eyea
Antoine had reloaded. They stood
against the door and awaited another
attack
Jean s.lsed HE drum The iit.ls nu-
sisian VI tie IOIas Dlaysd as he had