Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-01-20
A WILD RUN FOR LIFE.

by wolves in the district of Pskod.
He had gone to Russia with bicycle,
and at the time he fell in with wolves
was on his machine, having covered
distance of some twelve niles in an
endeavor TO head some elk.
had, he says, ridden but mile or
two on the return journey, when it
struck me that ought to alight and
refresh my machine with few drops
of oil. But hardly was on foot than,
happening to glance back along the
road, saw something which at first
sight caused thrill of pleasurable
excitement, but soon gave place to a
very different sensations. Hardly q
toward me at the long gallop which
covers the ground at wonderfully
rapid pace, were five large gray
wolves. / saw the leader raise his
nose, and, catching sight of me, cock
his ears and give tongue, just as a dog
might. There was no doubt about
the fact; l was being hunted. | was
speedily up and away, and as | caused
the pedals to whirl in manner to
which they were entirely unused, |
tried to calculate coolly the probable
relative swiftness of bicycles and
wolves.
had at least ten miles to go before
l should reach safety. l might possi-
bly, do that in three-quarters of an
hour, if the machine and my breath
held out. Could the wolves accom-
plish the distance in less time ? The
situation was by no means one for
trifling. When / had ridden couple
of miles or so, ventured TO glance
back, the result being the instantane-
GUS conviction that wolves can travel
faster than a bicycle. The brutes
had gained upon me. They had
gained hundred yards at least At
this rate l quickly calculated they
would pull me down just about two
miles before 1 could reach my desti
nation and city of refuge, Lavrik; un-
less, indeed, they could not keep up
the pace, which flattered myself was
rather hot.
pAPEry Tyyo uuNDRED y.RDS AWAY
Another two miles and another
peep behind Inc. The wolves were
barely two hundred Yards away now
and coming along as though they en-
joyed it. | could swear that the lead
ing wolf licked his lips as he saw Inc
look around. / tried a squirt. The
road was as level as q billiard table
and / strained every nerve to the ut
most. But even as l did so it was
borne in upon me that squirting
would not do. l must slacken of at
once, for could never keep up the
terrific rate at which was now trav-
cling
In fact, l must economic all my
staying powers in order to last out
the distance at even my former rate
OF progression. Then, suddenly, an
idea occurred to Inc. / would ring
my bell loudly and continuously, and
see what effect this would produce.
pressed the gong, and turned round
to observe whether the sound would
check my pursuers. The effect was
No sooner did the
first clang of the gong ring out than
the wolves-every one of them
stopped dead and disappeared behind
the trees. gave a yell of defiance
and delight, and dashed on, ringing
away for dear life. But my triumph
was short-lived. On looking back
few moments after / found that my
foes were again in full pursuit. How
ever, had gained little.
MAGNIFICENT BUT DANGEROUS.
On we few, my gong sounding
harsh and strident in the silence OF
the forest. 1t was magnificent at
least it would have been If it had not
been so horribly dangerous. There
was rut trodden by horses running
all along the very middle of the road.
avoided this and rode at the side,
which was smooth, for the runners OF
the light sledges do not as a rule wear
the snow 1t was easy enough, OF
course, to avoid the rut when riding
straight ahead; but while looking
round there was the danger Of my
front wheel slipping into it, and eth
er checking the way OF the machine
or even causing a capsize.
had just turned my head TO look
round upon my pursuers for the TWEEN
tieth tims-alas ! they were still gain
ing. and now within fifty yards. Hear
ing a loud clatter in front OF me
turned back again to see what new
danger threatened me from that di-
rection. In thus twisting back and
round again allowed my front wheel
to go out OF the direct line. The next
instant was in the rut, and before |
had time to see what was happening.
with my trusty bicycle. buried
couple of feet deep in the snow at the
side Of the road. | gave myself up
for lost.
ELKs TO THE RESCUE
All this did not take long to hap
pen, and as / emerged from the snow
| was in time to see two things. The
first object which met nv gaze was
magnificent bull elk, followed by four