The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1894-02-09

and mournlul.
Mosby plodded along, giving little
heed except wishing that he could get
Il sight on one of the "yarmints' in a
bright spot of moonlight. The
bowling of the wolves gradually be-
came more frequent and began to
sound nearer and nearer. Mosby
came to halt and examined the con-
dition of his gun, and then, although
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
behind, for the weird sounds had in
creased into n din and an uproar.
They were evidently on his trail and
rapidly approaching, dozens of them,
perhaps, courageous, at last from the
strength of numbers.
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 time, but where there
were trees the darkness was so deep
that the project had to be abandoned
as impracticable, and he could not
endure the thought of remaining a
prisoner all night in the uncomfortable
branches of pine tree on account Of
q 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 we're coming along at long
leaps, filling the air with their mourn.
full screams.
Mosby, still cool and collected,
raised his rife 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 number rolled in the
sand, and Mosby, after reloading,
started on a trot toward a small open
ing. Before he reached it they were
in pursuit again, it seemed as if in
greater fury than ever, notwithstand-
ing they had first Toasted on the flesh
of a comrade.
Mosby fired again, but missed his
aim. For moment they hesitated,
their eyes shining in the darkness,
and then, crashing their fangs, rushed
forward into the light. Mosbys heavy
rifle whirled around his head and des-
cended on the skull of the foremost
wolf, but the beasts, crazed with
/ hunger, had lost all fear, and Mosby
saw that he had met his fate. A wave
of sorrow for poor Jessie, leftall alone
7 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
t to the ground.
Bang, bang, bang, suddenly rung
e through the forest. A wolf with his
r fangs buried in Mosby's arm released
| his hold; another tearing furiously at
70 his breast fell dead. The air resound.
= ed with quick reports and Mosby,
t weak and almost dying, saw the sus-
s picious boarder rush into the fray, a
f repeater in each hand.
When he next opened his eyes he
- was at home and Jessie by his side.
T. where is Hayes he murmured.
!, "Here, father, she answered, and
, Hayes stepped forward from the
Y shadow where he had been sitting.
9 The old man would have given hin
+ his hand, but his arms were limp an(
f lifeless.
t "You saved my life he murmured
0 gratefully, "and I reckon your kline
of weapons are the best, after all
e among wolves. You must stay witt
us the whole season and Jessie and
9 will do our best to entertain you. ="
Hayes smiled ut was lucky thing
!, that you sent me away, Mr.. MOsby, TO-
d otherwise | would not have been on tn
It quarry road and saved you. linishet
Y my work here yesterday, and SO whel
r Dick told me that | must go | startet
II for the quarry to get some things
d Jessie has told me what you feared
was and | do not blame you. 1t dit
6 look suspicious, and | often fel
l. ashamed that had to keep so quiet
u but my time has been spent prospect
/ ing for iron and negotiating purchase
d of land. 81 am the junior partner i
f firm which expects to establish
o mine in this vicinity and came here en-
IS joined to absolute secrecy. The bust
/ ness is now where this is no longe
if necessary, for we have contracted 70
d all the land we want except one corner
probably the richest in ore, however
p of all"
Is Hayes then opened his papers an
d showed a plan of the grounds.
1t why" cried Mosby. that corne
lie belongs to me, and is the most worth
is less piece of ground on the footstoo
ID I've always been ashamed to clail
lie ownership"
" "Do you wish to sell it, Mr.. Mo:
lie by?" asked Hayes.
10 GSo1l ;49O raturDo1 Mocbv CTUo L