San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-21

lOE tIlb NOuuiSi
The first elimmer Of dawn shed
dim light on the scene, aud the gray
forms of the wolves outlined against the
snowy whiteness of the ground afforded
a fine opportunity for aim.
The struggles of the wounded deer
were over, and his assailants were
swarming over its body, tearing the
flesh with such ferccious haste that the
approach of Platoff and Maurice was
unheeded
ave must have that meat" whis-
pered Platoff at will keep us for
weeks" And raising his revolver he
aimed at the nearest wolf, huge,
gaunt brute, who toppled over simulta-
neously with the report. AT the same
instant Maurice fired, but unfortunate
ly made a miss, and the remaining
wolves, angered at this interruption to
their feast, sprang in a body at the dar-
ing intruders.
Crack, crack, went Platoff's revolv-
er, and down went the foremost ami
NAL, staining the snow dark crimson.
His second shot crippled another, who
retreated with q mournful howl.
Maurice, who remained admirably
cool under this trying ordeal, killed
third by careful shooting, and the re-
manning uninjured brutes, two in num-
Der, very wisely retreated up the slope.
The wounded wolf had crawled away
under cover.
"Hurrahl We've done it," cried
Maurice with pardonable glee, and as
he spoke loud outcry was heard from
Phil, who had remained on top of the
slope. Platoff was off like a streak, with
Maurice at his heels, and, gaining the
ridge, they were Mortified to see the lad
struggling with one of the fugitive
wolves. The crust had broken, and both
were floundering about in the soft snow
beneath.
Platoff reached the spot in couple
of leaps, and, actually seizing the brute
by the throat, lifted him up and flung
him a yard or two away. He reached
for his revolver, but it was missing,
and, snatching the knife from Phil, who
was now rising unsteadily to his feet,
he turned Just in time to meet the rabid
animals attack. The wolf was not a
large one, but what he lacked in size he
made mp in ferocity, and for a moment
Platoff's position was one of EXTREMIST
peril. The brute landed on his breast,
and for second or two he tottered.
Then, recovering himself, he clutched
the woolly throat in one hand and with
the other struck repeatedly with the
knife. The muscular blows went home,
the brute's efforts relaxed, and down
he went ON the blood stained snow, a
limp and lifeless heap.
Platoff coolly wiped the blood from
his hands and examined the scratches
ON his arms and breast
"I'm not hurt" he said in answer to
the boys eager inquiries. "The marks
are only skin deep. / dropped my re-
volver somewhere or would have set
tied him without all this fuss.
"You saved my life, exclaimed
Phil. SIN moment more his teeth
would have been in my throat The
brute sprang ON me from that thicket
there, and when we fell the crust broke.
That is what kept me from being bit
ten. don't believe I'm hurt at all, ex-
cept for my clothes. And he pointed to
the front of his coat, all ripped and
hanging in tatters.
Platoff disdained all praise and
strobe off to look for his lost revolver
1t was found half way down the slope,
where he had dropped it while running
to Pills assistance.
1t was now nearly daylight, and Pla-
toff started at once to cut up the deer.
1t was a long and difficult task with
but one knife, and dull one at that,
but an hour after sunrise the choice
parts of the meat had been removed
and packed for carriage.
Now" said Platoff, eve must leave
here. 1t is just possible that our shots
reached somebody's ears, and it Will be
a wise proceeding to put some miles
between us and this spot.