Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-11-29

004Vs Inc 0loOR0 m000 y UuOOou
lunge, as II heayed through ono Of
the deep transverse ruts, and our near
horse 1--WE were driving three abreast)
gave an ugly tug at tho traces, as he
swayed outward from his place. The
count, now fully awake, cried out I:
Ivan Ivanovitch, are you forget
ting whom you are driving?"
" No, gracious excellency," the
man replied. ''but his lordship's
horse, Petrovitch, is restive.'
Almost at the instant, the horse
gave second pull, which was so vio-
lent that the whole kibitka was
| jerked aslant.
something Is out OF gear with the
harness" called the count, "let one
OF the grooms see to it,"
The two footmen were half asleep
and could hear Ivan muttering to
them, while he was bringing the
sledge to less rapid motion.
Suddenly there was cry, piercing
and petulent. like peevish child's
"a cry which made my blood curdle
in my veins. Iglanced at the Count
ess Stephanie and saw her face blanch,
as she shrank into the corner of the
sledge. The count sprang to his
feet and the awful word was spoken:
"Wolves!"
In an instant. the horses having
heard that cry, felt some subtle sense
OF fright, which FASTENED their speed.
The count unlocked his pistol case.
l noticed that he was calm, and that
he fitted the key into the lock with
accuracy.
''Are you armed?" he asked me.
drew my pistol from my pocket, as he
spoke.
II have never heard of the brutes
coming so far south at this season,
he said. Then he turned to the count
ess. ''Be very calm, my daughter !"
he said, your father will defend
you"
Ppm not afraid" was the proud
reply, though her voice was thick
and her lips trembled. The count
turned quickly, and cut the straps
which held the closed opening at the
back of the sleigh.
Crouch down, my child" he said
to the Countess Stephanie; ''crouch
down in the bottom of the sledge and
cover your head with this rug May
heaven shield thee |"
All the concentrated love of pater-
nifty was in his voice.
"Itsik, you-are your pistols
ready?" he said next.
Ready, excellency," was the re-
ply.
The count and / peered into the
darkness through the opening of the
sleigh. Behind us there appeared q
movement like rolling cloud, re-
sembling dust at night.
They are upon usl" the count
exclaimed, and fired. AS / initiated
him I heard the countess give a
little stifled scream. On came that
moving column, and the cries of
angry, ravenous mouths filled the az
with deep and ominous rumble.
How they were gaining on us J
Ivan Ivanovitch was yelling to his
horses, and they, brave creatures,
strained every nerve and muscle to
obey his commands. A sudden awful
thought passed through me. What
IL there were something really wrong
any mal-adjustment stand the strain?
Somewhere from the recesses Of
memory came the recollection of q
story / had once read, OF hunting
wolves in battue in Russia, and
that it was stated there that unac-
customed and peculiar sounds had
terrifying effect upon these beasts
even that gathering of pans could
accomplish what pistols failed to do.
Again L fired into the approaching
mass of yelping horror. AS my hand
resumed it's position after doing so,
it touched the cold surface of the
little silver siren which hung upon
my watch chain.
Instantly it flashed upon me to try
its effect upon this pack of hungry
wolves. put it to my lips, and with
all the strength Of my lungs forced
that weird crescendo Lote into the icy
night. A writhing serpent of the air
was that python Of sound, which
struck its piercing sting into the
frightened hearts of those wild
beasts.
The young countess tainted dead
away. The horses gained electric
fear from what they thought was
some new terror in pursuit, but, best
of all-miracle as it has ever seemed
that pack OF angry wolves, with
believing howl of fear, tumbled pell-
nell into the black depths Of the for
est and disappeared like column of
smoke whose force is spent!
AS they did so, Ivan Ivanovitch
cried out that the lights of Riga were
in sight, and we were saved
A year later was again in Regent
street, but not alone nor defeated
nor depressed, for Stephanie was
there!
was showing her the shop where
/ had bought the silver siren!
Now take me, dearest, to the
place where you bought my wedding
ring" she said. ibid you not say
that that was near Bond street,"
"Yes, near Bond. Stephanie,"
began, but this has nothing to do with
the story Of the silver siren, which
has now been told.
-
Balloon and Bicycle.