The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-21

seemed to be on the increase. They wer'
coming in from every directions; but non
were Az large as the former tenant of TIN
hut.
to oatch these fellows" said Jean. Nv
would throw poisoned meat to than ant
see them fall dead in the snow. Here W
can do nothing Of the kind"
Here they come, JEAN" exclaimed An
tome. "Look to the door. III they throw
themselves against it in a body it will no
keep them out"
The pack in front had risen and wsrt
rushing forward. Tho boys heard tht
d,cadful snapping OF teeth as they reached
the door. Antoine thrust the muzzls 81
his musket through a crack and fired into
the howline, struggling mass. seveyal
shot. The wolves drew OF, carrying with
/ them y dead comrads and devoursd hin,
before the boys eyes.
Antoine had reloaded. They stood against
the door and awaited another attack.
"This is wolse than fighting the Rus
sians,'' said Antoine.
Jean seized his dunn. He beat the charge
vigorously in hopes of sending far out on
the night air tho sounds Of music to reach
thu ears OF some detachment of the army.
Ths little musician of the Yonne played as
she had never played before; his drumstiaks
flow, warming his half-frozen fingers and
filling the old shanty with strange music,
the roll-call of N%apoleon's army.
The smell and taste OF fresh blood had
infatuated the pack. 1t came back to the
attack with moro 6arosnsss than at first.
Antoine looked for the big gray wolf but
could not ses him.
Tho hat WAS mot high and it's roof was
covered with heavy snow. Suddenly the
boys saw several wolves leap up n dis
appear. They seemed to have bounded
toward the roof, and when Jean cried out
that he heard something overhead, they
both know that the ANIMALS were on the
hut. Yes, the wolves were up there, try
ing TO scratch the snow away that they
might leap dow into the cabin and make
short work of the young soldiers. For a
moment Jean and Antoine shrank together
aghast.
Look! the door! the door" shouted Jean.
dropping his urumsticks. ''They are here
again, Antoine"
Once more the boy with the musket
fired at the lot outside. to hoar another
how and to SEQ the pack devour a slain
comrade. But this time the wolves did
not fall back; they continued to try to
force the door while Antoine reloaded
with h~alf-frozen hands and Jean held the
barricade.
The boys must have felt that they were
fighting a hopeless battle, but they were nc
towards, and had resolved not to give up.
AACy pAVy SooAA ANs 80
fight all the wolves Of the cars dominion,
but certainly they could perish like French
boys.
The animals on the housetop made q good
deal OF noise and the boys had begun to
think the roof conld not be forced, when
Jean cried out that Il pair of eyes were
cleaning overhead, and the young soldiers
looked and both saw tho head of q wolf.
1T is the big fellow said Antoine,
bringing his musket to bear on the appari-
ton. 1T is the head OF the wolf We dis
whom We came to the hut"
The next moment the cabin was filed
smoke and the boys saw the head van
ish and the stars only were seen through
the hole in the roof.
The wolf shot by Antoine did not fall to
the ground. Only live wolves leaped down.
as they stood ready for the bowling
pack at the door the boys believed they had
killed the leader. He was nowhere to be
seen.
The assaults of the ravenous beasts now
to tell on the strength of the door.
lean placed his body against it, and An
tome fired rs often as he could, but the
appeared ten times fercer.
"Listen!' said Jean, suddenly, and he
with his hands.
II, too, heard something like a shout; a
human shout replied Antoine.
The little ffer looked through a crack.
He turned to his friend, crying ont with joy:
~ sss dark figures moving over the snow.
They seem to be horsemen. Whatever
they are, they are coming this way. They
are too tall to be more wolves"
jean picked up the dun and beat a wild /
tune which went out over the snow. 1t was
by shouts. and now both could
see horsemen galloping forward.
"They are Cossacks!n' whispered Antoine,
his shoulder to the door. w shall never
s0a the grand army xuainS I
The wolves were making a final effort to
force the door. Antoine mechanically met
them. firing away his last charge and drop
ping his Weapon. Then the boys stood
side by side. In another moment a
party of wild-looking Cossacks swooped
upon the hut and surrounded it, while
the wolves drew off.
Come out!" cried the Cossacks. Come
out, you who are within. Surrender to the
of the great ozar!!'
Jean and Antoine opened the door and
N arched forth. When the Cossacks saw
the boys they set up a loud laugh, and their
hetman, q fine looking fellow, satirically
touched mis- cap in the way of a salute.