The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-09-20

AS"A ehaS lIeuDleu anu uleu
away.
The mystery was solved.
Like flash Luke realized the fate of
the two mail carriers-a fate that might
ere long be meted out to him, for the
howl he heard was the cry of hungry
wolves. Again and again it rose on the
wintry air, louder and more savage. AL
ready they scented their prey.
Driving the spurs deep Luke flashed
up the valley at blind and furious
pace.
he knew too well the nature of his
foes. The commandant had assured
him that no wild animals frequented
that part of the country. So much the
worse. The hungry brutes had been
driven by starvation toward the coast, |
and having no doubt devoured the two
natives they had taken up their habita-
ton in the valley.
Soon the howl was repeated and taken
up on each side until the forest rang
with their doleful sounds.
They gradually came closer, though
the brave horse was laundering onward
with all his strength. A little while
longer and he might be saved, for al
ready dimly through the trees Luke
could see the break in the mountains.
The forest became more open, and
once, turning half around in the saddle,
he saw the dusky forms leaping through
the bushes. A terrific howl told only
too plainly that they had sighted their
prey. There was the gap before him
now, with the path winding over its
rugged slope. The brave horse dashed
up at full speed, and in an instant he
had gained the summit.
But the maddened brutes were almost
at his heels, and turning sharply around
Luke fired at the foremost, a great,
gaunt animal, with foaming jaws and
bloodshot eyes. 1t was a good shot, for
the beast tumbled over in the snow,
ann the rest of the pack turned on the
wounded comrade and tore him to pieces.
Luke was able to gain some yards.
In a moment they were after him
again, full cry, as he dashed down the
opposite slope, and twice turning round
he fired into the midst of the pack
There was furious snarl and howl
of pain, but they came on unchecked.
His situation was now growing des
perate, for the horses speed was failing,
and his strides growing feebler and
| feebler
The wolves were dozen yards be-
hind and gaining fast.
Luke turned again and fired, and as
he aimed to give them second shot a
dire accident befell him. The barrel Of
the revolver caught in the fur trim
mings of his coat and dropped to the
ground, leaving him absolutely at the
mercy Of his savage foes.
Sick with despair he made one last
effort to escape, leaning forward on the
horses neck and urging the brave ami
NAL to greater speed. In moment
more horse and rider would have been
overtaken and dragged to the ground,
when suddenly the sound of running
water reached Luke's ears, and some
distance before him down the slope of
the hill he saw low, deep rayine cross
ing the path.
A little closer and he saw distinctly
what was before him. A mountain
stream, in ordinary times mere brawl
ing brook, but now swollen by rain to {
rushing torrent, swept between tive
steep banks. Here was a chance 70,
safety. If he could only leap the gul
his ravenous pursuers might be left be
hind.
Leaning forward on his horses necl
he urged him on with one last, despair
ing effort.
The brave animal Numbered down tn
hill, still ahead of the bowling pack
, reached the brink of the gorge, ros
! without hesitation into the air and cam
down safely ON the other side.
The wolves, rushing blindly OF
| plunged over the edge of the precipic'
and though some of them persisted o
r the sharp rocks, the remainder, strut
I Cling down into a deep pool some yart
r below, swan through the icy waters
4 the bank, and struggling to the top toe
up the chase again as though nothir
: had happened
y Luke, fifty yards in front by this tim
f looked back just as the topmost wo
Q came in sight over the bank, followt
g by half a dozen more in quick succe
y sion.
His heart sank within him, and for
d moment he was tempted to give up Il
d struggle.
n As the horse, startled by the renew
% bowling Of the pursuing pack, dash
le off again, trembling and perspirin
Luke's eye caught the sight Of da
le object lying on the snow ahead of hi
Or 1t was q rifle, the lost property no dou
as of one of the native mail carriers.
+ Guiding the horse directly toward
IN he leaned down suddenly from the st
I'd die and as he rushed past made qui
ms snatch at it.
m The horse swerving at this criti
moment he missed his aim, and foolisl
he making a second attempt overbalane
de himself, and with cry of horror 81
he headforemost into the snow, while
Ike riderless horse Numbered on his cours
on For a second Luke lay stunned q
Ia dizzy, the bowling of the wolves ri
ing family in his ears. Then, pull
4 himself upright, he looked cage
ad- around him.
to Horror upon horrors! The forem
at. wolf, great, gaunt creature, with BIZ
me red jaws, was nearly upon him. M
nv. seeing his prey SO still, defenseles
us, within his grasp at last-the brute ca
of stealthily forward, with sneaking tire
CHI Luke shouted at him, but the v
hat only growled. Picking up the rifle
nm snapped it in vain, and then, seizin
.ew by the barrel, he swung it around
holly