Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-09

A~-NAI &-f EAC-- ~ nv $3.50
morning Luxe Aowbr4y slipped secretly
and noiselessly out Of Vlsdigostok. and
turned westward toward tee pine
crowned ridges Of the Sikota range.
He rode tie commandments horse aud
wore huge pair Of boots the Russian
had lent him. Before ann on the saddle
rested the mail bag. and IA bis rlght
hand he carried loaded revolver,
ready for instant use.
IL was broad day night when he crossed
the plain and rode into the mountains.
he had little fear Il losing his way, for
Captain ShanCf had impressed the road
carefully upon MS mind. and 10 further
aid him the trees were marked with an
ak az short Intervals.
Luxe was troubled with no misgiy-
ings as ais horse slowly picked MS way
over the frozen ground. He was one OF
those adventurous fellows VINO roam ths
world over seeking out strange places
and unrrodden paths, and he was keenly
enjoying this little Siberian excursion.
Captain Shanof had truly declared
the road 10 DO bad. For ten miles 10 d
up and down hill, over stones aud fallen
trees, and more than once Luke had 10
dism0unt aud lead the horse over some
unusually bad spot.
About noon no reached the top OF the
highest ridge and made brief halt for
lunch. The valley below him was
thiekly wooded and was deep and mar
row. The road led through 1t 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.
1t 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-
bic 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
tiers worse, a fine snow began 10 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 moment he wished that
be had not volunteered for such an I'M
certain piece of business. Then he grew
angry with himself.
What nonsense he cried half aloud
And whipping up his horse he gal
loped at swifter pace up the valley.
Swimming over the crusted snow, and
leaping over rocks and bushes until the
forest dwindled 10 the edge of clear
ing, 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 as Luke with difficulty
pulled his horse up short he saw, with
thrill of horror, that it was a mail bag
similar TO the one he carried.
1t was lying half under the snow, and
as he dismounted 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 sudden impulse Luke threw
himself back into the saddle on the in
slant. for far in the rear came long,
mournful howl that trembled 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 he 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 q blind and furious
pace.
lie knew too well the nature of his
foes. The commandant had assured
him that no wild animals frequented
that part Of tie 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 he might be saved. for al
ready dinly through the trees Luke
could see the break in the mountains.
The forest became more open. and
once, turning half around in 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
now. 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 msddened brutes were almost
at his heels. and turning sharply around
Luke fred at the foremost. a great.
gsunt animal. with foaming jaws and
oloodsh0t eyes. IL was a good shot. for
the beast tumbled over in the snow.
and the rest of the pack turned on the
wounded comrade and tore him TO pieces.
Luke was able to gain some yards.
In moment they were after him
again, fun cry. as he dashed down the
opposite slope. and twice turning round
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