The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-02-23
THE ESCAPE.

along the base OIL The gETZgeDlISe
smountais and on the banks Of the
sfrozeb Eyer. The snow lay deep upon
the ground, but so hardly CONCEALED
that the sharp, iron shoes Of our
sWift-going beast scacely did more
than indent it. MA ~
''How far now to Calsbad?' I said
to the driver. s.s
q -Four leagues" he answered.
s'At this rate, then, how much longer
ON the road?'' -... 3
1.-TWO hours 49,. !
1.-The sun is about that high"
eve shall enter the town at early
candle light -.
On we went, up hill and down, the
merry bells ringing clearly in the
frosty air.
lat length we reached and slowly
asceneded long, steep elevation,
whose descent, by a narrow, winding
road, or path, led down again to the
banks of the frozen Eyer, along here
and there precipitous lodges, over
(which chance slide might be fatal.
The horse suddenly slipped, lost his
feet, and rolled down the incline and
broke his harness badly. We had re-
ceived no injury, which was wonder
full
Here's as unfortunate situation"
said Jules.
''Thank God that we have come to
81 halt at last with our bones whole"
/ said.
There was no use in considering, de-
. batting or complaining; we both saw
exactly what we had to do, and who
had to do it; and so we both went to
work with a will.
When we at last reached the high
way again, all safe and ready to re-
sumo our journey, the sun was down,
and the gloom of twilight was upon
Nls-
GLOW far now, Jules?"
1.-Two leagues, sir"
l had just taken my seat again in the
vehicle, and Jules had gathered up the
4reins for fresh start when a solitary,
distant, dismal howl was borne to
our ears.
MAY God be merciful to us this
night" calculated the driver as he
started the horse forward, but with a
caution that showed how much he
feared a sudden strain upon the har-
ness.
For perhaps a minute after the first
call We heard no answer and we were
just beginning to hope that none would
be given, when another dismal howl in
"a different direction fell upon oul
Years. This was quickly followed by
another and another, and then by not
@I,, oil e,sI M,
horse raised his head with a terrified
LET him CO., I said to Jules, feel
ing my hair rise with horror.
1T won't save us!' returned the lat
ter, despairingly. IF the beast were
free from his traces he couldn't out
run these hungry devils. Why, lool
there" cried Jules, pointing with bis
whip first to the right and then to thu
left
did look, and either direction [ per
ceived an undulating shadow nlovin.
over the now star-ighted snow, at al
angle calculated to reach us at som,
unknown point.
''Merciful God!' I cried; "are W.
doomed to die in this manner! Faster
Jules-faster!'
"Dno't you see he's doing his bes
NOW, your honor? and he SAINT gail
AN inch on these devils"
1t was true; our gallant horse, a
frightened as ourselves, was alread..
on Il dead run. And yet slowly, bu
steadily, the undulating shadows, t
the right and left, were closing in t.
the central line; and the yelping GREY
behind had gained on us a little.
'.How far now, Jules?''
'''More than league, sir"
"Is there no place on the way wher
we can stop? No dwelling, barr
stable, Oh hut that we can take refug
Imp
''There's a hut about a mile aheat
but how can we get into it? The mt
ment we stop these wolves will b
upon us"
Suddenly Jules turned his head an
exclaimed:
'Quick! quick! your honor-have 70
a sharp knife?'
Eyes"
@'Quick, then! Give it 20 me!'
I tore off my gloves, whirled BAG
the furs and outer garments, thru'
my hand into pocket, and brougl
forth a long, Spanish clasp knit
which opened with spring.
liz lOOh IL Will Il uCIUC1dllO1 IL
excited words had not led me to e.
poet; and then, turning his eyes t
ward heaven, said solemly:
May God smile upon the design!
seems our only hope!
"Jules!' I cried, with shudde
catching him by the arm, ''surely W
are not meditating self-destruction p
"No, no! Here! take the reins!'
I did so mechanically, but amaz'
and mystified Instantly Jules lean'
forward over the front of the sleig
and for few moments seemed ha
mt work. Then, starting up sudden]
sle cut the reins with Il single stroke
his knife, and at the same time stru
the flying horse a smart blow wi
his. whip. Before had time to a
what all this meant I comprehend
5a what had been done. He had c
the traces, the horse was leavi
us, and we were running by our o1
momentum ..-
''It was our only chance" said Jul
pointing to the hut just before
about opposite of which I judged t