Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-09-17
A RACE FOR LIFE.

at work few miles from his home. After
his days labor was finished his employer
invited him to partake Of the evening meal
with him. This invitation Peter accepted,
and then, his system fortified with q hearty
supper, he commenced his journey home
ward.
1t was dark, cold December night.
The wind swept fitfully among the great
pines and beeches, and strange, moaning
sounds went sobbing through the forest.
Now and then an owl uttered it's boarse
cry, or the sudden rafting of the dead
leaves told where some timid animal sour
ried away from the sound of footsteps.
But Peter was strong and stout hearted
and trudged quietly along, without paying
much attention to the sights and sounds
around him. until he had achieved per-
haps one-half of his journey, when sud
denly his ears caught the sound Of a
horse's feet descending the long, rocky
path lehind him. Gradually the sound
drew nearer until the sharp, peculiar
voice of the horseman could be heard urg-
ing the beast to faster gait.
"Ah! hap said Peter to himself as he
heard the familiar tones; "that Is Uncle
Tom Barry"
Now, Uncle Tom and Peter were neigh
bors-that is to say, their clearings lay
about mile apart-and none knew better
than Peter that the old man was naturally
of a timid disposition, and, furthermore,
that nothing inpsired him with greater
fear, nothing that he had not rather meet,
than wolf.
No sooner, therefore, had Peter become
convinced that the horseman behind him
was his neighbor than he resolved to use
this trait of Uncle Toms as a means Of
working out what he considered would be
most capital joke. His plans were soon
laid, and he prepared to put them into ex-
ecution Creeping through the under
growth which bordered his path, he
erouched down and patieftly awaited the
approach of his victim. He had not wait
ed long before Uncle Tom, his horse at
a sharp trot and himself casting timid
glances around, arrived opposite his place
Of concealment Peter allowed him to
pass a few paces and then, springing for
ward on his hands and knees, he uttered
one or two snarling yelps, followed by the
loud, clear, gathering cry of the wolves.
The effect upon Uncle Tom was cleo
trical. Springing half way out Of his sad
die, he uttered q scream of terror, and
then, STOPPING until his head nearly
touched the name, he plunged his spurs
into the horses flanks and was off down
the road like a shot. AS for Peter he rolled
over on his back and kicked his heels in
huge enjoyment of his success. Loud and
long he laughed, occasionally varying the
performance by making the forest ring
with repetition of the wild, savage cry
that had struck such terror into Uncle
Toms timid heart.
But there is an end to all things, and SO
after awhile there was an end to Peters
mirth, and he, wiping his eyes, regained
the path and was about to resume his jour-
ney, when he heard sound that sent the
cold shivers coursing over his body and
almost froze the blood in his veins. The
wolves heard his successful imitation Of
their music and were coming in full cry
upon him.
Calling all his energies into play, he
dashed down the path with scarcely less
speed and terror than did Uncle Tom Bar
~ himself Peter was famous runner
and had come off victor in many trial Of
speed when the people had come together
at raising or log rolling, but this was no
holiday game. The race was for life.
Down the long slope that led to Pilkin's
hollow and up the ascent beyond fled Pc
ter, while hardly 100 yards behind came a
snarling pack, hungry and fierce. The life
of an unarmed man would not be worth'a
minutes purchase could they once sur
round him.
Down another long slope, across broad
sheet of ice at it's foot and Letherbee's hill.
with its long, steep ascent, lay before him.
He shuddered as he glanced up its rugged
side, for he felt that his strength would
hardly suffice to carry him to the top.
Still he kept on, though it seemed mad
ness to hope, for his pursuers had gained
on him fearfully; he knew it by the beat
ing of their footsteps, but, with energy
inspired by mortal terror, he ran on, hop
Ing to gain only the brow of the HILL for
there the ground became more open, and
his own cabin was but few yards beyond.
He felt sure that his pursuers would not
follow him beyond the summit, but could
he reach it before they would close upon
himp
No. not by his own exertions, for just as
the thought passed through his mind his
foot caught under gnarled root that ex-
tended across the way, and he fell heavily
forward, his head struck the frozen ground,
and he lay senseless.
When Peter recovered consciousness, he
found himself hanging over the broad
shoulders of his brother John and about to
enter his own door. Here he soon collected
intelliQently to his brothers. account of
his rescue.