The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-05-22

SUCK. Ihey are mere again, An
toine."
Once more the boy with the mus
ket fired at the lot outside to hear
another howl and to see the pack
devour a slain comrade.
But this time the wolves did not
fall back. They continued to try
to force the door while Antoine re
loaded with half frozen hands and
Jean held the barricade.
The animals on the housetop
made a good deal Of noise, and the
boys had begun to think the roof
could not be forced, when Jean cried
out that a pair Of eyes were gleam-
ing overhead. and the young sol
diers looked, and both saw the head
Of a wolf.
cit is the big fellow" said An
tome, bringing his musket to bear
Oh the apparition. ct is the head
of the wolf we disturbed when we
came to the hut
The next moment the cabin was
filled with smoke, and the boys saw
the head vanish, and the stars only
were seen through the hole in the
roof.
The assaults of the ravenous
beasts now began to tell on the
strength of the door. Jean placed
his body against it, and Antoine
fired as often as he could, but the
wolves appeared ten times Ifercer.
''Listen" said Jean suddenly,
and he bent toward the door, maxi
ing an ear trumpet with his hands.
The little ffer looked through a
rack. He turned to his friend,
crying out with joy:
81 see dark figures moving over
the snow. They seem to be horse
men. Whatever they are, they are
coming this way. They are too tall
to be more wolves"
Jean picked up the drum and
beat wild tune, which went out
over the snow. It was answered by
shouts, and now both could see
horsemen galloping forward.
"They are Cossacks," whispered
Antoine, his shoulder to the door.
owe shall never see the grand army
again"
The wolves were making a final
effort to force the door. Antoine
mechanically met them, firing away
his last charge and dropping his
weapon.
In another moment party of
wild looking Cossacks swooped down
upon the hut and surrounded it,
while the wolves drew off.
"Come outw cried the Cossacks.
"Come out, you who are within!
Surrender to the soldiers of the
great car y
Jean and Antoine opened the door
and walked forth. When the Cos
sacks saw the two boys, they set up
a loud laugh, and their hetman,
fine looking fellow, satirically touch
ed his cap in the way of salute.
They had expected to capture
number of men soldiers.
Eyes, there is the big wolf on the
roof" said Jean to Antoine, and,
sure enough, up there lay the big
gray monster, the cause Of all their
trouble. One of the Cossacks pull
ed the carcass from the roof and
threw it on the snow.
ssPlay for u.s." commanded the
leader of the wild band.
Jean and Antoine drew up to-
gether in the snow, and in moment
the lively airs of France were watt
ed over the dreary waste. For
awhile the faces of the Cossacks
clouded.
But at last they swung their
great caps over their heads and
cheered the boys Of the Yonne.
ssYou shall 60 back to your
army" said the hetman. seYou shall
not be taken to prison. You have
been brave. We like brave boys
like our own"
The next day the rear guard of
the grand army saw approaching
them with white flag troop Of
wild horsemen of the steppes, and
the regiment to which Jean and An
tome belonged was overjoyed to re-
reive once more into the ranks the
little musicians.
The boys endured the horrors of
that retreat, and in after years,
when they sat with old playmates
under the spreading trees Of the
village and related stories Of Napo-
Icons i'll fated campaign, they new
er failed TO tell how they fought
the big wolf and his pack and their