Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-06


which brought to Jack the first thought
of peril.
Not one wolf, or two or three, but a
pack, driven by starvation. oh, the hor-
ror of that ceaseless yelll With all his
strength the boy pressed on, terror add
ing speed TO his limbs. 1t was for lie,
this race-he knew it well now No gun
shot would avail with that pack Of yell
ing demons. The patches of moonlight
were few and far between I'm the dense
shadows OF the trees, and with straining
eyes he watched for the curve in the
road which would bring him 70 Holcomb'
clearing But as the quick breaths of the
pursuing enemy became distinguishable
amid their banks and howls, Jack re-
allied that he had no hope of making II.
Nearer close by the roadside he remem-
bered an old cabin, long since dlsused as
a dwelling but occasionally temporarily
occupied by settlers making their way
farther on How far he might tInd safety
here he could only conjecture, but 1t was
something in the way of shelter.
The wolves were close behind as he
dashed into the cabin, giving the door
desperate shove after him. No time TO
fasten it. for the yelps came in, too. But
there were friendly rafters above, ana
with one leap Jack was among them.
With his head reeling, breath coming
in heavy pants, and a faintness in real
izing the horror of his situation, Jack
grasped the timbers. Th"y were old;
he could almost fancy they shook and
swayed under him. He did not trust
himself to n look below until he felt him
self securely poised. It made him dizzler
when at length he ventured glance.
There they were, the hungry demons,
leapng, swapping, enraged that their prey
so near, should yet be beyond their
reach. Jack did not take second look.
With returning breath and steadicr head
he brought his strong common sense TO
the considering Of the situation.
Howl away you brutes. You think
you're going 10 get me sooner or later'
don't you? Not IL I'm "A woods boy
How many Of them were there? Would
thew never quit crowdng in at that door?
A few moments later he beard a dull
slam through the din Of snariing voices,
and looked for the cause. The door had
at length been pushed shut, and In one
OF the frantic leaps its heavy old wooden
latch had fallen into place.
"Ah. here l am-locked in. Now, what
next? | wonder which Of us would starve
10 death first" he muttered. You. may
he" with another glance at his foes, TOR
you're hungry 10 begin with. and I'm not.
Only I'm not so used to being hungry az
you be-"
Regaining his nerve and self-possession.
he examined his surroundings with anx-
ious eyes. He saw that so long as he
looked well 10 his hold among the rafters
he was I'm no present danger. But how
was he to get out? The cabin was built
of logs. He might work for days with
IL,
sides.
But above him, within easy reach OF his
hands. was the roof, through which came
small wrinkles Of blessed moonlight. He
soon found that It was made Of saplings
laid close together, then finished with a
thick covering Of brush. To his great
Joy he found that decay had begun its
work, and the smaller saplngs were ready
10 crumble under a vigorous touch.
But others were strong. They would
yield only 20 slow cutting with his knife.
His footing was precarious; with one hand
he must continuously support himself.
He never could have told how many
hours Of frightfully exhaustive labor fol-
lowed his conviction that through that
roof lay the only hope Of saving his
voting life. Once he stopped almost In
despair
''Aiust be about that weddin' time now"
he groaned. his head dropped upon his
free hand. And If they knew-mother
and all OF EN- At II again As at
| length he could put his head out a new
| fear was growing. What If more OF bis
| pursuers We're on the outside? Then there
was no help for him. Shelteress, he
would surely freeze To death before the
cruel night would be over Better that
| than the other. With bleeding hands.
whirlng brain, every muscle on a strain
with the last effort. Jack pulled himself
upon the roof and peered over its edge.
| No. there were no more. The glazing
eyes. the gnashing teeth. the hows the
pandemonium-all shut I'm. With renewed
strength. born Of blessed certainty. Jack
| sped back TO the camp for help.
| II was frolic such as woodsmen love-
such as rarely comes to their monoto-
nous lives-the shout, the celebrating
rush over the frozen snow the keen relish
| for the hunt.
Seems hardly fair though. poor
brutes-like takin' advantage OF EN-, shut
| In So" said one
But sentiment did not prevail. as one
| after another OF the snarling voices was
| flushed.
Seventeen of 'em, as I'm a livin' man.