The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-17

lOuUiV.
and standing on his hind legs. with his
fore paws on the window sill, made o
desperate effort to see through the
frost-painted glass.
Moving toward the window MART
cleared u space and stood pecring out
into night In an instant was ut her
side, barefoot and trembling. To nv
dying dayI shall never forget the sipht
we saw.
In an open space on the hillside.
north of the parsonage, u dark mass
was writing and tossing on the snow
amid snarls and bowls that rent the
mir like the roar of distant waterfall.
"Wolvcs!" 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 view of the struggle.
Famous for all timo in the parish
will be that battle fought between six
or seven wolves and the fercest dogs
in the vicinity. Long-drnwn howis.
shrill, excited yelps and smothered
groans woke the echoes of the night
l quivered in every limb as 1 watched
the thrilling spectacle presented by
the strong gaunt wolves contending
with the small dogs that sprang into
the air, came laundering down, rolled
over and over and darted forward again.
Suddenly a man was seen running
from the direction of tho servants
hall. 1t was Ole johnson.
Father threw open the window and
pcremptorily ordered him to 70 back
into the house.
Ajax is with me" cried Ole, hating.
Let Hector loose" he cried.
presently.
Then, Fastening to the woodshed, he
seized IN 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 moment, irresolute.
Above the din there now arose n
high-pitched shrek from q voice we
wonld all have known among hun
dreds 1t gradually became more and
more smothered, and finally resolved
itself into gurgling moan.
They are killing himr 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 hoarse bark he
flung himself against the hall door.
tearing and scratching with teeth and
claws, determined to get out
Then, in heavens name, let him
CO." cried father, and MART flew down
stairs to open the door.
The huge animal bounded northwerd
with vigorous leaps. past Ole, and not
resting until he had found him whom
he was seeking. Then followed n
matchless display of indomitable
strength and ferocity.
-Four dogs were engaged in mortal
combat with one tall, powerful wolf.
who was just about to get the better
OF Ajax. With head proudly erect.
Hector sprang to the group, seized the
savage brute and flung it high into the
air. AS 1t came sprawline down. he
throttled it and slapped the ground
with IL like one gone mad. making the
snow fly in all directions.
Suddenly he relaxed his hold-the
wolf was dead.
at the door Of tho servants hall
stood Ole, with Ajax in his arms. Hec.
tor bounded toward them, shifted at
the trembling, bleeding Ajax, and
then darted back into the thickest of
tho fray. Laying the wounded hound
on cushion, Ole hurried northward
again, taking with him two other lads.
each armed with an ak.
When they reached the battlefield
the result of the combat was decided
-Four wolves lay dead or dying among
a heap of mangled dogs. The Others
had skullSed away, but their hidcous
bowling was still making the night
dismal Hector moved from group to
group, smiling at the dead and fawn.
ing over the injured dogs that Law In
the snow, licking their wounda
For more than half an hour he paced
to and fro. laid down, got up again
and showed every sign of intense cx-
element. Not until all the living
dogs had gone home did he relinouish
his post and present himself at the
mousse door. AS soon as he was adj
mittcd he found his way to Ajax, and
with much demonstration of affection
fell to licking the little fellows
wounds This task accomplished, he
dropped down with n long and weary
sigh, and began to attend to his own.
Ajax crapt quivering between his
big comrades legs. turned uneasiIy a
few times and finally curled hi,nea1f
up comfortably. lie was pretty badly
hurt, having deep cash in the back,
and long, gaping rent in the throat.
The next morning traces of the con.
Hict were widespread. Blood dyed the