The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-04-12

4
isIisd the trees 10 prcmiseacss hesps. h
t.pdsd 70 be burned after years dryinx-
spd had built spd rocfsd leg hut. II
hsd only cut door in one srd of The hr
~iGh no Windows sr her openings ysl
wbes ietl,r received made him suddeni
.banson the plaes and hurry bsck TO Ohio
Three years had passsd With DO pew
from him, except that mcosy wss yesri'
,est 10 pay tsxes. Bushes had grew
about the vacant hut, ,ven acme weeds Ir
side, where the epsn door snd upchink'
wall admitted rain OF snes. The slasbini
had become dense ,hioket.
oae autumn afternoon Johnny went OF
40 srrsnd to . neishbor, four milss distsn
by roundabou, road. Returning, he start
ID straight acrass through the woods; ba,
sbile saupieriDg along, he rememb rsc
that hs had not vi.iad the Ganwalter slssh
lng 10 six months, whsreupon he ,urrsi
side half mile out Of his way 70 psss r.
oaving an Idle curiosity to note whal
cnargss time AID the elements had
wroueht.
Wearing moccasins, johnny approach, q
he hut with noissless tread, Ponto . little
10 advsuce. just inside the yawnipg door.
say the dog halted aud shraDk, grewliss
nd trembling with mingled rsEe and fear
absn Johnny stepped In behind him hs
. emed TO take courage frem bis masler's
osckisg, and took step forward, growing
,svsgely and showing all his teeth, while
every hair along bis back bristl.d In de-.
d ant menstce.
From the fartberest shadowy corner OF
The room there stared ct them gray hair
ed beast Of about the weight and sizs
tbe dog, but looking harder, stronger aDo
more muscalsr. This animal did moi
srowl, but bristled very much like the dog,
sod silently showed longer, sharper and
mere formidable teeth.
Nor did II exhibit much doubt or fear,
out advanced warily, seeking to dodge pas
and get our, seeming confdent Of its owl
power as against The dog, although II
plainly dreaded the boy.
Johnny recogn ID the large, gray forest
wolf, aud locked about for \ weapon. H.
spew 1t would not attack them II they
would permit IL to escape, which be i'm.
,ulsively resolved IL should not do.
In the corner, at one side OF the door
way used to sand = small ironwood hand
pike. Ifit was there yet, and not rotted
{ was there, seasoned hard, drv and
trong In an instant Johnny had 1t, and
vas confidently barring the passage, urg-
ng Ponto to attack.
Porto was not 30 conf dent. He feared
hat he was no equal match for his most
ated enemy. He would be badly hurt II |
hey fought, and 10 peril Of his lie. He
'ould have moved wsrily aslde, surly and
breatening, and let his dreadful foe avoid |
ttis. But he was dog Of courage, and
g had vast faith In bis young master.
The dog gave battle. But he did not
rappls recklessly with his powerful and
pady adversary; he fe 7ced for advantage |
18th oil the skill he had.
Johnny keenly watched bis chancss, and
ut In blow as often ~ he saw "a open.
"; but he made the mistake OF striking
/ the VOLTS head, and only hitting hi,
noulders or powerful forebody. Thete
lows, slthough delivered with great force,
,metimes half doubling up the fierce brute
+ knocking him qui OF his'feet, and a.
ays giving PontO momsntary relief and
ivantage. were indecitive. Besides,
ohnny had to guard the door, for thu
of constantly tried to spring past him.
The conflict went on for some minutes
, long that both Ponto and Johnny were
copiag exhausted. A dozen times III.
,g received such hurts from ths chsPpinR
ties Of the wolf thst he whlmperad,
-oopipg bis tall for msmemt, and he was
'rn aud blood-blotched from head to tall
ut he always recovered courage when
,hnny got 10 blow.
Johnny also Jared badly. Every tims
e wolf broke away from the dog, johnny
cklessly stopped its rush for the door.
Twice the boy was thrown dove by
rious charges, and ave times he received
shes on his arms and legs. Luckily hb
rmeats we're strong home spun, and
,nto always lesped to his rescue.
Both Johnny and Ponto now drew back,
nded and worsttd. Indeed, Ponto whIn-
!. and Johany aim, cried, par ly from
Irts, partly from shame and anger at be-
z 90 bsfii d. But both drew fresh cour
q with esch breath, and stubbornIy bar
d the doorway.
II the wolf had now made . determined
srge, be might have burst through. His
nd and strength seemed undininished bv
hnny's pounding, and the dog hsd appar
tly OF hurt him. All he wanted was to
I away.
Ponto, too, was willing to quit. He
,uld still nght II be had 10, and ibis hate
d rage were not cooled; but he would
/ lead another assault, or venture be-
I'd the protective sweep Of his masters Z
ID Finding the dog stubbornlv prudent
hnsy sprsng forward.
But the wolf kept wary watch Of Ihs
ID. and dodgsd. 10 spits Of ftint and
.stagem the brute managed with sidt
Ips aud sudden shrinkinss, 70 avoid most
the blows; And the few that touched
. did little damage.
Even when EN- bsrrsssed bv guppkS
10 Ponto, be southo~ with wholly
partly away from tbs club. Meanwhile
ithlcsed fresh !, Iirsss upon the dos,
i've CT three uuss psisfsl nips upsa
hsay.
Johnsy and Porto were painting wow
~ befor. esddesiy the VOL. tifesu 4
epglh bore Porto 10 the grouoo, b. .
ped over the deg, aod dsshed pAss Jonr- G
for the door ssn c
Bat when vicloy ani sscsri ssm,d ii