Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-19

th1ckly wooded and was deep ana mar
row. The road led through it for seven
or eight miles, and then, the captain had
said, it crossed a gap in the mountains
at a point only three miles distant from
the mining camp.
It had suddenly grown colder, and the
air was keen and biting as Luke rode
slowly down the mountain side. The
valley was wild and desolate, and Luke
had to admit to himself as he spurred on
his horse that it was a very uncomforta-
BILE bit of country.
For the first time in his recollection q
strange feeling of uneasiness crept grad
ually over him, and he tried in vain to
shake off its influence. To make mat
ters worse, fine snow began to come
down and the sky grew dark and gloomy.
Luke was by no means superstitious,
but the idea now took firm possession Of
him that some great peril was approach
ing, and for n moment he wished that
he had not volunteered for such an un-
certain piece of business. Then he grew
angry with himself.
"What nonsensew he cried half aloud.
And whipping up his horse he gal
loped at swifter pace up the valley,
skimming over the crusted snow, and
leaping over rocks and bushes until the
forest dwindled to the edgo of clear
ing, a long, low bit of ground, undu-
lated with hillocks of drifted snow.
On the very edge his horse stopped and
shifted the air uneasily. Then he dashed
forward with start. almost unseating
his rider.
On the frozen ground was some dark
object, and rs Luke with difficulty
pulled his horse up short he saw, with
thrill of horror, that it was mail bag
similar to the one he carried.
1t was lying half under the snow, and
as he dismonnted and tried to pull it
loose he discovered dark red stains on
the frozen crest. Horror stricken, he
stood still in amazement, forgetting to
pull the bag loose, when suddenly the
horse pricked up his ears and began to
tremble violently.
With a sudden impulse Luke threw
himself back into the saddle on the in
SUduL, lOI ldI Ill ttlt lCdI Cllllc ~ lOllS,
mournful howl that tremblcd and died
away.
The mystery was solved.
Like flash Luke realized the fate of
the two mail carriers-a fate that might
ere long be meted out to him, for the
howl lie heard was the cry of hungry
wolves Again and again it rose ON the
wintry air, louder and more savage AL
ready they scented their prey.
Driving the spurs deep Luke flashed
up the valley at blind and furio,.,
pace.
He knew too well the nature of his
foes Tie commandant had assured
him that no wild animals frequented
that Part of the country. So much the
worse. The hungry brutes had been
driven by starvation toward the coast,
and having no doubt devoured the two
natives they had taken up their habita-
ton in the valley.
Soon the howl was repeated and taken
up on each side until the forest rang
with their doleful sounds.
They gradually came closer, though
the brave horse was laundering onward
with all his strength. A little while
longer and lie might be saved, for al
ready dilnly through the trees Luke
could see the break i'll the mountains.
The forest became more open, and
once, turning half around i'll the saddle,
he saw the dusky forms leaping through
the bushes. A terrific howl told only
too plainly that they had sighted their
prey. There was the gap before him
how, with the path winding over its
rugged slope The brave horse dashed
up at full speed, and in an instant he
had gained the summit.
But the i.l.stidened brutes were almost
at his heels, and turning sharply around
Luke fired at the foremost, great,
gaunt animal. with foaming jaws and
bloCdshot eyes. 1t was a good shot, for
the beast tulnbled over in the snow,
and the rest of the pack turned ON the
wounded colnrade and tore him to pieces.
Luke was able to gain some yards.
In moment they were after him
again. full cry, rs he dashed down the
opposite slope, and twice turning round
he fired into the midst of the pack.
There was Il furious snarl and q howl
of pain, but they came on unchecked.
Lis situation was now growing des-
ly:rate, forihe horses speed was failing,
and his strides growing feebler and
fceb!er.
The wolves were dozen yards be-
hind and gaining fast.
Luke turned again and fired, and as
he aimed to give them second shot a
dire accident befell him. The barrel of
the revolver caught in the fur trim
mings of his coat and dropped to the
ground, leaving him absolutely at the
mercy of his savage foes.
Sick with despair he made one last
effort to escape, leaning forward on the
horses neck and urging the brave ami
NAL to greater speed. In u moment
more horse and rider would have been
overtalen and dragged to the ground,
when suddenly the sound of running
water reached Luke's ears, and some
distance before him down the slope of
the hill he saw low, deep ravine cross
ing the path.
A little closer and he saw distinctly
what was before him. A mountain
stream, in ordinary times mere brawl-
ing brook, but now swollen by rain to a
rushing torrent, swept between two
steep banks. Here was chance for
safety. If he could only leap the gulf
his ravenous pursuers might be left be-
hind
Leaning forward on his horses neck
he urged him on with one last, despair
ing effort.
The brave animal thundered down the
hill, still ahead of the bowling pack,
reached the brink of the gorge, rose
without hesitation into the air and came
down safely ON the other side.
The wolves, rushing blindly on,
plunged over the edge of the precipice,
and though some of them perished on
the sharp rocks. the remainder, strug-
Cling down into deep pool some yards
below, swan through the icy waters to
the bank, and struggling to the ton took