Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-03-11
THE ESCAPE.

4
aSgSs 7 was a wild scene in Bohe-
mia, along the base Of the
49, Erzgebirge mountains and on
&s} the banks OF the frozen Eyer.
The snow lay deep upon the ground
but SO hardly eongeaied that the
sharp iron shoes Of our swift gong
beast scarcely did more than 1ndent
it. 4.
i How far now to Carlsbad I" !
said to the driver.
"Four leagues, he answered.
/ !" At this rate, then, how much
longer Oh the road?
"Two hours
The sun is about that high
"We shall enter the town at early
! candle light
On we went, up hill and down, the
merry bells ringing clearly liz the
frosty air.
At length we reached and slowly
assembled 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 PERCEPTIONS 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 received no injury which was
wonderful.
"Here'e an unfortunate situation,'
said Jules.
" Thank God that we have come
to halt at last with our bones
| whole,n said ~
There was no use in considerat-
ing. debating 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 will.
When we had at last reached the
highway again, all safe and ready to
! resume our journey, the sun was
down and the gloom OF twilight was
upon US.
"How far now, Jules?"
Two leagues, sir"
/ had just taken my seat again in
| the vehicle, and Jules had gathered
up the reins for fresh start, when
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
caution which showed how much
he feared sudden strain upon the
harness.
For perhaps a minute alter 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 our ears. This was quick
" followed by another and another,
and then by net less than dozen on
all sides. Our horse raised his head
with terrified snort, and sprang
forward at gallop.
"Let him co." said to Jules, feel
ing my hair rise with horror.
1t won't save u.s." returned the
latter, despairingly. If the beast
were free from his traces he could
MT outrun these hungry devils.
Why, look therel and therel' cried
Jules, pointing with his whip, first to
the right and then TO the left.
/ did look and in either direction
l perceived an undulating shadow
moving over the now starlighted
snow at an angle calculated to reach
us at some unknown point ahead.
Merciful God" l cried, are We
doomed to die in this manner Fast
er, Jules-faster !"
don't you see he is doing his
best your honor, and he cant gain
an inch on these devils ~
1t was true. Our gallant horse,
as frightened as ourselves, was al
ready on 3 dead run. And yet,
slowly but steadily the und1lating
shadows to the right and left we're
closing in to the central line, and
the yelping crew behind had gained
on as little.
How tar now, Jules 7"
More than a league, SIR"
Is there no place on the way
where we can stop-no dwelling,
barn, stable or hut that we can take
refuge in ~
There's hut about mile ahead
but how can We get into it2 The
moment we stop these wolves viii be
upon u.s.
Suddenly Jules turned his head
aud exclaimed:
1Quick, quick? your honor-haye
you sharp knifs7"
@Yesin
"Quick, thenl Give it to mel''
/ tore off my glove, wbirled back
the fufs and outer garments, thrust
my hand into pocket and brought
forth long Spanish claspknife, which
opened with spring.
He took it with a deliberation his
excited words had not led me to ex-