Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-25

into inky darkness; for the night was APP
proaching fast. How gloomy IL wasl
Ever the grooming of the pines, ever the
sound of something moving In the I'M
derbrush, and ever the strange cry draw
ing nearer through the forest.
The tin pedder gave his horse cut
with the whip, the animal plunged for
ward, went down on its knees, got up and
stood shiyering. The gully had been
reached. The wagon was axle deep in
mud; further progress was impossible.
Pound and beIsbor as he would the poor
tin peddler could not persuade his horse
to go step further. The wagon was
stuck and stuck 1t must remain until kind
daylight might bring assistance.
The prospect OF spending the night in
that soggy gully was not altogether pleas
banks on either side. Above the rocks
the roots OF trees twisted knottiiy, and
far above swung the lean branches like
the deformed arms OF some dead monster.
Still they afforded some slight protection
against the wind which was blowing mo-
mentariy stronger, pounding in gusts
against the wall OF darkness, now still
for an instant, now screaming through
the tree tops like witch calling on her
cohorts that were wsiliDg far back In the
forest. The fog was sweeping along like
q snake before the blast, but it was chill
and penetrating.
The peddler embarrassed his horse and
fipd him In a than hnndIpd himgplf
up In his great coat and lay down upon
the wagon. The last sound that greeted
his ears dulied with approaching sleep
was the long melancholy howl that he had
heard before. 1t was as II another wind
were rising in the midst OF the forest and
coming to do battle with that which was
roaring In front of the bay.
On sudden the peddler was awakened
by a crashing In the bushes and the terri
fled neighing OF his horse. He sat up
and looked about him. The darkness was
luminous with eyes-red blazing eyes
glsring out from among the trees on the
embankment, flashing up from around
the sapling where the horse was tied,
Pickering this way and that about the
wagon. Now for moment the red shots
were still, now they waved up and down,
advancing. retreating like a ring OF be-
witched dancers.
And ali this time the battle OF the winds
was raging; 1t was like witches sabbat
| The bowling in the distance had ceased,
1t was present now. Mingled with it
were snarls and yeips and now and again
long deep groan. Speechless with dread
the peddler turned and looked behind.
A blast OF hot breath struck him in the
face, two red eyes dripping blood were
staring into his own.
| Like a flash the truth came to the tin
| peddler, Evolves, my God, it's wolves!"
he shrieked, and slipping down from the
wagon he fled up the road. The circle Of
dancing eyes stood still. the bowling
ceased. Then 1t broke forth again; min
| gied with it was the scratching of claws
upon the rocks. Like a sea OF tiny,
moving torches the peddler saw the red
eyes rolling in upon him from the front.
He turned back; he tried to scale the
embankment; looking up he saw hun
bred pairs OF those implacable eyes
glaring down upon him; his fingers re-
Taxed their hold OF the rock binding
roots. He fell backward with a despair
ing cry and then
IL ever you travel by night along that
now grass grown road that leads to no
one knows just where, no matter how
clear the air, how still the wind, you will
encounter drifting fog, you will hear
the rattle OF tin pans, and up the height
you will see a mans form, dimly outlined,
hurrying; and all about bIm ike waves
of fire you will see the surging OF count
less blazing eyes. Such ia the gnOst At
Peddler's Hollow.