River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-06-16

the first part of the fifty miles that lay
between him and Ashland courthouse.
Ii was nearly nine when he galloped
away from the village store, and though
familiar with every step OF the way,
vet he realized that he had uni taken
no light task He kra, rhat wolves
were devastating the country, being
driven wild with hunger. and that they
had been reinforced by their braver all
lies, the dogs. which had deserted the
lumbermen some winters before; vet
remembering the love light shining in
Jennie's eyes he accepted the task and
felt that could he escape the wolves he
could cover the distance and save ais
sweetheart's father.
The moon shone clear and bright and
the horse seemed to realize the hopes
and fears of his young master as he
rapidly gained on the long distance be-
fore him. The crust over the snow was
frozen into one vast sheet of ice and
gave b,ck a crisp, ringing sound be-
meath his flying feet. Onward he swept
in long and regular leaps and mile after
mile of the long journey passed rapidly
behind At one o'clock Hal looked at
his watch; he was close to Chequame-
gOn lake. Full half of the distance was
behind him an he knew that the long
sheet of ice stretching away before him
and narrowing here and there TO a
small river in width and thiclxly lined
on either side with dense underbrush
reached TO the end of his journey. lie
knew that here lay the danger from the
wolves, and he could not help the cold
shiver " hich shook his sinewy form as
a long, mOurnful howl greeted the ring
ing hOofs of his steed as they struck the
ice. Involuntarily his hand fell to the
handle of a revolver and he frightened
his grasp on the bride, while his keen
eyes swept the field of shining ice in
anxious suspense.
His horse seemed 20 scent the danger,
and his ears rose like sentinels, as il
listening. while his already ranid pace
seemed to increase. On they flew, horse
and rider, like two vanishing specks
| upon the bosom of the lake. while, as
minute after minute stole on, the bowls
/ grew in volume and in number, until
the terrible truth stole over the brave
/ lad that the hungry wolves were in full
| pursuit and increasing their forces every
minute. lie leaned forward IN the sad.
die and spoke TO his noble steed. almost
as though addressing a friend: ''On,
| Billy. on. We must not be overtaken
we must save her father.' The noble
animal threw his ears straight back,
and, gathering all his strength, as if in
answer to the appeal, fairly flew over
| the slippery surface.
The moon sunk low in the western
sky, and Just as he was nearing the
narrows Hal turned in his saddle. and
the sight he saw made his heart sink
within him. The hungry wolves were
rapidly growing in number and were
slowly but surely gaining upon him.
He knew that full ten miles lay be.
tween him and safety. Gould he fight
them off? Would brave Billy hold-out
at this fearful pace?" These questions
| flashed like lightning through his mind,
and, drawing revolver from his belt, he
turned in his saddle and fred once, twice.
| three times, and at, each shot woll
leaped in the air and fell. To be instantly
set upon and devoured by his hungry
companions. The relief was only mo.
@ltfNf usttt etcNEAf htJSffls
and the taste and smell after their long
hunger made them wild beyond fear,
and, with fearful bowls, on they came
with renewed force. The noble horse
seemed To quiver and tremble beneath
his rider-his breath came quicker and
his flying hoofs seemed hardly to touch
the ice. Again and again Hal turned
in the saddle and fired into the bowling
mass, and though every shot brought its
mark To the dust, yet they seemed &c
spring up from every side, and the dis.
lance between pursuers and pursued
was growing rapidly shorter. Already
he could feel the hot breath and hear
the fierce swapping of the hungry jaws
pressing close upon him. Again he
leaned forward and spoke 10 his noble
steed: ION, Billy, on. We are almost
there-we must escape-we must save
him." Then while the animal seemed
To gather all his forces for one final
struggle. Hal turned and fired his last
charges into the pursuing pack.
Suddenly right in front the lake
narrowed and almost before he realized
IL the way became only narrow strip
of ice, lined on either side with dense
underground. After short distance
the watery way turned sharply TO the
right and the next instant Hal saw the
lake widening, and directly in front
not over five hundred yards away, he
saw the shore and all along the edge
great piles of faggots all ablaze. thus
showing that the hardy settlers were
alarmed and up in arms. Hardly had
this crossed his mind when he felt his
clothing being torn from his back. He
turned and plunged his dagger into the
body of the fierce wolf clinging to his
horses launches. The wolf relaxed
his hold. and as he fell to the ice the
horse reared on his hind legs for a sin
gle instant and then darted away like
an arrow toward the shore, not more
than fifty yards distant Suddenly
he quivered all over. and before
Hal could spring from the saddle
the horse fell forward with a groan al
most human, piniOning one of Halls
legs beneath him. As he fell Hal saw
the flash of a score of rifles, and as the
sharp reports rung out his senses left
him.
Have you anything to say before
YOU 20 to meet your God?" asked the
sheriff, as he stood beside his prisoner.
while the big hand upon the clocks
dial across the square pointed to the
hOus of five. A slight shiver passed
over old Matt Henderson and his lips
twitchcd nervously; then, lifting his
eyes to the sheriff, he answered. slow
" and distinctly: II am innocent and
not afraid to meet my Maker" The
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