Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-03-10
NEW VOL. 2S--NO. %.

The sudden Slowing OF the sled, as
Thursa dashed mp the little river, sent
the leader rolling over on the ice, and
the unlooked-ior turn left the rest OF
the pack sailing helplessly by on their
launches.
Now scream children ~ she
gasped, by this time fairly out OF
breath. They may-hear-you at
the Settle-w
She gave little short, sharp scream
to start them, too, 10 which they re
spond-d 10y a pitiful, sobbing call for
Mother
Poor little fellows, one was lame
and the other was a mere child; but
she could not stop TO pity them, for
the wolves had gathered themselves
aud were upon them again.
Scream T. she shouted, at the same
time giving the sled powerful jerk
that sent il far ahead, while stopping
She snatched Isaac's remaining crutch
as it shot past her, just in time to de-
fend herself from the foremost wolf
They did scream then, when they
saw that Thursa vas behind among
the wolves, aud their sharp young
veieos with all their agony OF fear,
were borne To the ears OF approach
ing helpers The settlers, headed by
the two trappers, were coming in
search OF them.
Thursa, with the desperation born
OF fear, struck frantically at the wolf
as he leaped at her Though the
hlow was not very accurately given,
il was successful. The force impaired
to the heavy hardwood crutch, 10y
the strong young arm, met th" ugly
beast full on the nose, doubling its
weight by the violence OF his savage
spring.
The crutch was hurled from her
hand: but the wolf was stopped, for
he was rolling over and over, bowling
aud scratching at his bruised aud
bleeding nose. lie was directly Gov
cred by the pack, snarling over the
scrnt OF fresh blood.
Thurss gave but one look at them
before she flew back to the sled. She
thought as she caught up the tongue,
with an awful agony in her heart
What can be done to stop the wolves
next time y
She reeled, staggered and Tell as
she attempted to start the heavy Sled
CRYING out with mortal anguish ns she
went down on her knees. IL was wei
that help was 80 near, for the poor
girls strength was nearly spent But
she struggled bravely TO her feet. to
be rewarded by long, loud shout
from the rescuing party as they swept
around the bend in full sight
With n cry OF relief she grasped tho
sled tongue and hurried, With the last
remnant OF her strength, toward
them.
stop there shouted Thursa's
father. az they met and passed the
men kcopinR on toward the advsnr-
ing wolves.
She heard shots aud shouts as she
sank down IN utter exhaustion beside
the sled. and that was the last she
knew till she found herself lying on
the settee at home. with her mother
bending over her.
"Oh mother - she cried, starting up
as soon as she recognized her sur
roundings-"The boys II tried 30
hard TO save them ~ she concluded
with "a hystericsl sob.
so YOU did. my noble dsrlingT y re-
turned her mother. clasping the sob
bing girl tightly In her arms. "And
when you feel better, you shall tell
me all about 1t; butyou must be quiet
now
"Our brave girl shouldn't cry now
said her father. with tears and low
ing raproof in his voice as he came
forward with Ziba In his arms.
She reached out her hands, aud tho
father stopped his tall form that the
TWO children nigh kiss each other
They killed most all the wolves
Thursa.n whispered Ziba eagerly.
Ten Of 'enI anyhow, and the trappers
have stopped TO skin EN-"
And Isaac, Ziba p
"Oh. he's home-be's all right"
Ia a week Thursa was well OF the
laneuess caused by her fearful run,
and the fright. to the hardy youGg
settler, soon became only memory.
A few years later she married the
grandfather OF the dear old lady who
told me this story; and though Tbursa
died many years before her husband
he kept till his death the big wolf
skin robe-mads OF six Of the ten
skins-given Tbursa by the trappers,
as a memento Of her courage.