The herald., 1894-02-18

from constable, but we are presuming
that you want to kill animals" But
his arguments as to the relative merits
and uses of the two weapons had little
effect on Hayes, who still continued to
carry the pistols and make excursions
not into the woods-w where, Mosby ven
tured, there might be stray deer if
one happened to see it'-but toward the
quarry and the hills.
Whether Mosby wanted to keep watch
OF his strange boafder's actions that
day or whether his business led in that
direction we cannot say, but he spent
the afternoon exploring the timber
abutting the highlands. His observa-
tions were quite minute, and the sun
was beginning to redden the clouds in
the west when he started for home, and
by the time he reached the road it had
become quite. dark He had about
eight miles to cover, but the way was
so rough that he made slow progress.
Here and there moonbeam glistened
on sandy opening, but for the greater
part Of the time the foliage of the trees
entirely INSTRUCTED the light, so he
slumped YEARLY along, musing upon
the events of the previous weeks and
wondering where Hayes had gone to
spend the night.
A warm breeze swayed the tops of
the huge pines; this and the sticks
which cracked under his feet were all
that broke the silence of the night-all
until from the distance came suddenly
to his ears the hoarse baying of wolf.
From time to time it was repeated, I'M
til from another direction arose an an
swering howl, prolonged and mournful
Mosby plodded along, giving little
heed except wishing that he could get
sight on one of the varmints in bright
spot of moonlight. The bowling of the
wolves gradually became more frequent
and began to sound nearer and nearer.
Mosby came to halt and examined
the condition of his gun, and then, al
though feeling that the rifle insured his
safety, began to hasten his steps. By
the time he had covered another half
mile he knew that there was danger be-
hind, for the weird sounds had in
creased into din and an uproar. They
were evidently on his trail and rapidly
approaching, dozens of them perhaps,
courageous at last from strength of
number. he realized that there would
be scant time for reloading gun after
once firing and looked about for tree
which he could climb and pick them off
one at a time, but where there were
trees the darkness was 80 deep that the
project had to be abandoned as imprac-
ticable, and he could not endure the
thought of remaining a prisoner all
night in the uncomfortable branches of
pine tree on account of few wolves.
This decision was scarcely reached when
he would gladly have changed it, for
a moment later the wolves reached the
road behind him and were coming along
at long leaps, filling the air with their
mournful screams.
Mosby. still cool and confident, raised
his rifle to his shoulder. A gray form
flashed in the light little distance
away, and he fired. The bowling of the
pack suddenly ceased as one of their
rolled in the sand, and Mosby,
after reloading, started ON trot to-
ward small opening. Before he
reached it they were in pursuit again.
Mosby fred again, but missed his
aim. For a moment they hesitated,
then crashing their raugs Iusueu loI-
ward into the light. Mosby's heavy
rifle whirled around his head and de-
scended on the skull of the foremost
wolf, but the beasts, crazed with hun
ger, had lost all fear, end Mosby saw
that he had met his fate. A wave of
sorrow for poor Jessie, left all alone in
such country, welled up in his heart,
and then, gritting his teeth in anger, he
grasped his gun stock tighter and struck
again. This blow was his last, for the
next instant he was borne to the ground.
Bang bangl bang! suddenly rang
through the forest. A wolf with his
fangs buried in Mosby's arm released
his hold; another tearing furiously at
his breast fell dead. The air resounded
with quick reports, and Mosby, weak
and almost dying, saw the suspicious
in each hand.
When he next opened his eyes, he was
at home and Jessie by his side. Where
is Hayes?" he murmured.
Here, father" she answered, and
Hayes stepped forward from the shadow
where he had been sitting.
The old man would have given him
his hand, but his arms were limp and
lifeless. "You saved my life" he muir
INJURED gratefully, land l reckonWour
kind of weapons are the best, after all,
among wolves. You must stay with us
the whole season, and Jessie and | will
do our best to entertain you.
Hayes smiled at was lucky thing
that you sent me away, Mr.. Mosby, for
otherwise l would not have been on the
quarry road and saved you. finished
my work here yesterday, and so when
Dick told me that / must go / started
for the quarry to get some things. Jes-
sic has told me what you feared l was,
and do not blame you. 1t did look
suspicious, and / often felt ashamed
that | had to keep so quiet, but my
time has been spent negotiating pur
chases Of land. l am the Junior part
ner in a firm which expects to establish
a mine in this vicinity and came here
enjoined to absolute secrecy. The bust
ness is now where this is no longer nee