The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-01-17

While we were still at the table, Ole
Johnson, one of the ~farmhands, came
in from the woodshed and stood in the
doorway, shivering.
| at might be well to keep the dogs
indoors tonight" said he.
Have you seen any wolves?" asked
father.
mo; but / heard them awhile ago."
replied Ole.
Take Ajax into the servants hail.
said mother, and Hector may sleep in
the nursery"
To have Hector in our room seemed
to us boys the safest, most delightful
thing imaginable. We were quite sure
he was the strongest dog in the world.
and could dispose of twenty, aye, a
hundred wolves.
AS we went up to bed, however, our
courage was somewhat shaken by the
distant bowling we heard, and when
Hector came upstairs with MART, the
nursemaid, we screamed aloud with
fright. We actually thought the wolf
had broken in.
Long after we crept into bed we Law
shivering with cold and dread, until
finally the warmth of the fire MART
had kindled pervaded the room, and
the cracking flames mingled with
Hector's heavy breathing lulled us to
rest.
How late it was when / started up In
a panic of terror cannot say. A con-
fused blending of snarling and howl
ing filled the air, and on the window
was plainly outlined the huge, dark
head of some animal, with wide-open
jaws.
Clapping my hands over my ewes |
shrieked out. MART was aroused by
my cry. and coming to my bedside
asked drowsily what was the matter.
Look" | cried, pointing.
At this moment Hector, for it was
his head | had seen, barked loudly,
and standing on his hind legs, with his
fore paws on the window sill, made a
desperate effort to see through the
frost-painted glass.
Moving toward the window MART
cleared a space and stood peering out
into night. In an instant / was at her
side, barefoot and trembling. To my
dying day l shall never forget the sight
we saw.
In an open space on the hillside.
north of the parsonage, a dark mass
was writhing and tossing on the snow
amid snarls and bowls that rent the
air like the roar of a distant waterfall.
"Wolves!" murmured MART, grasp
ing my arm.
Just then mother opened the door
leading into the hall, and Hector.
darting past her, sprang down the
steps and was only stopped by the
front door.
Mother gave orders to put the chill
dren's clothes on, and it was not long
before everyone in the house was
dressed and at the window command
ing a view of the struggle.
Famous for all time in the parish
will be that battle fought between six
or seven wolves and the f~iercest dogs
IN the vicinity. Long-drawn howls, |
shrill, excited yelps and smothered
groans woke the echoes of the night
/ quivered in every limb as l watched
the thrilling spectacle presented by
- "oiNCo OuItHulDp
with the small dogs hat sprang into
the air, came fioundering down, rolled
over and over and darted forward again.
Suddenly a man was seen running
from the direction of the servants |
hall. 1t was Ole Johnson.
Father threw open the window and
peremptorily ordered him to go back |
into the house.
Ajax is with me-" cried Ole, hating.
Let Hector loose he cried.
presently.
Then, Fastening to the woodshed. he
seized an ak and was about starting
for the scene of the combat.
stay where you are! Have you
gone stark mad?" shouted father.
Ole stood for a moment, i%rresolute.
Above the din there now arose a
high-pitched shrek from a voice we
wonld all have known among hun-
dreds. 1t gradually became more and
more smothered, and finally resolved
itself into a gurgling moan.
They are killing him." screamed
MART, sobbing aloud.
At this Ole started off as fast as he
could go.
Hector, too, had recognized his COM.
rade's call. With "a hoarse bark he
hung himself against the hall door,
tearing and scratching with teeth and
claws, determined to get out.
Then. in heavens name, let him
&c" cried father, and MART flew down
stairs to open the door.
The huge animal bounded Woodward
with vigorous leaps, past lie, and not
resting until he had found him whom
he was seeking. Then followed a
DISPLAY Of indomit.bl.