Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-07-04
gone stark mad:' shouted father.
Ole stood for q moment, irreso.

gone stark mad:' shouted father.
Ole stood for moment, irreso
lutte.
Above the din there now arose
high-pitched shrek from q voice W
would all have known among han
dreds. Ii gradually became NOR
smothered, and finally resolves
itself into gurgling moan.
They are killing him. screamed
Marit, sobbing aloud.
i AT this Ole started of no fast q.
he could 90.
| Hector, too, had recognized hi
comrades call. With hoarse bari
he flung himself against the hal
zloe 1e<ing - serskphing lnitl
bis sosth and claws, determined t.
get out.
Then, IN heavens name, let him
Igo,' cried father, and Marit few
down stairs to open the door.
The huge animal bounded north.
ward with vigorous leaps, past Ole,
and not resting until he had found
him whom he was seeking. Then
followed q matchless display Of in
domitable strength and ferocity.
Four dogs were engaged in NOR
tai combat with one tall, powerful
wolf, who was just about to get the
better Of Ajax. With head proud
ly erect, Hector sprang to the group,
seized the savage brute and flung it
high into the air. As it came
sprawling down, he throttled it and
slapped the ground with it like one
gone mad, making the snow fly in
oil directions.
Suddenly he relaxed his hold
the wolf was dead.
At the door Of the servants hall
stood Ole, with Ajax in his arms.
Hector bounded toward them, sniff
ed at the trembling, bleeding Ajax,
and then darted back into the thick
est Of the fray. Laying the wound
ed hound on q cushion, Ole hurried
northwsrd again, taking with him
two other lads, each armed with an
Ak.
When they reached the Battlefield
the result of the combat was decid-
ed. Four wolves lay dead or dying
among q heap of mangled dogs.
The others had skulked away, but
their hideous bowling was still
making the night dismal. Hector
moved from group to group, sniff
ing at the dead and fawning over
the injured dogs that lay in the
snow, licking their wounds.
Four more than half an hour he
paced to and fro, laid down, got up
again and showed every sign of in
tense excitement. Not until all
the living dogs had gone home did
he reiinquish his post and present
himself ut the house door. AS soon
as he was admitted he found his way
to Ajax. and with much demonstra-
ton Of affection fell to licking the
little fellows wounds. This task
accomplished, he dropped down
with q long and weary sigh, and
began to attend to his own.
Ajax crept quivering between his
big comrades legs, turned uneasily
a few times and finally curled him
self up comfortably. He was pref
ty badly hurt, having deep cash
in his back, and long, gaping rent
in the throat.
The next morning traces of the
conflict were widespread. Blood
dyed the snow. mangled, lifeless
wrecks were strewn around, and
tufts of hair drifted about in the
wind.
People gathered from all parts Of
the parish. Some fingered about
the woodshea where Ole narrated
the blood-curdling events of the
night, while he dressed the wolf
skins.
All this happened some years ago,
but even to-day in that far-away
little parish Norway the people
speak Of that night; and if you
should 60. to the parsonage you will
see close to the gate of the little
garden to your right, two low
mounds where lie the faithful dogs,
Hector and Ajax, who fought the
famous battle with the wolves.
Blood purifiers, though gradual,
I~~ -~.a.~~l