Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-11
CHAPTER XIX.
A DISPUTE WITH WOLVES.

DISPUTE WITH WOLNES.
Platoff's outcry gave the boys DE-
we're fright. When they turned around,
the Russian was striding toward dark
object few yards away.
''It was a foolish thing to shout 30
loudly" be said. "I forgot the echo.
It was done before I bad time to think.
But see, I have made a fortunate dis
covery."
Hurrying to the spot, the boys were
surprised to%ind half dozen wheelbar-
rows deeply imbedded in the snow.
ga year ago or more mining opera
tions were begun beyond this ridge, "
said Platoff, $50 one of the convicts in
formed me. These wheelbarrows were
either forgotten or purposely abandon
ed, and now they will do us good
turn"
"In what way?" asked Maurice.
For answer Platoff pointed to the
long slope of frozen snow.
"Time is precious" he said, land to
make our way down that slippery in
cline would be difficult task. By TAX
ing these wheelbarrows apart we can
60 to the bottom of the valley in two or
three minutes The risk will be slight.
for no trees or rocks can be seen."
With some difficulty the clumsy bar
rows were torn loose from the frozen
snow, and the shallow wooden beds de-
tached from the wheels.
Platoff chose a good position on the
brow Of the hill and fixed himself as
comfortably as possible in the strange
sled,
Don't start until I am 100 yards
down." be said to the boys. IF there
is danger ahead, I will shout, and you
can alter your course. " Hepushed him
self gently off and went skimming
down the hill at prodigious speed.
"Now, there, off we go!' said Mau-
rice. Hold tight, Phil, and don't be
scared" He slipped over the crest and
plunged downward. For moment the
clumsy box grated over the icy crust;
then it went off with rush that took
Maurice's breath away, and his remem-
brance of what followed was always of
the dimmest nature. Frightened by the
terrific speed and the stinging force of
the wind. he clung to the sides with all
his might. Kissing like a buzzsaw,
the sled whizzed down the first couple
of slopes; then with a succession of
heavy bumps it shot over ridge and
entered upon longer and sleeper in
cline.
With a rush like a skyrocket it Gov
cred this half mile stretch and then
leaped into the air. Maurice cried aloud
as he felt himself falling and clutched
the sled all the tighter. A crash-a
crack-a binding shower of snow-and
then he knew that the ride had ended.
Overhead he saw the stars shining,
and struggling through the masses of
light, powdery snow that enveloped
him he gained the edge of the crust and
climbed into the open air none the
worse for his adventure save slight
sensation of dizziness. A dark figure
was visible some distance away, and an
instant later he was clasping hands
with Platoff.
"Phil-where is Phil?" he demanded
anXiously.
Platoff made no reply, and together
they ran over the crust. A black hole
yawned before them, and leaning over
the brink Platoff inserted his arm and
helped out the missing boy. Phil open
ed his eyes and then his mouth. "Well,
that beats all the toboggan slides ever
sawl'' he said, looking up at the hills
behind him with such a comical ex.
preston that his companions laughed.
"Thank- heaven we are safe!" said