Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-01-29

when l suspected this fearful jour
ney your father is sending you on. In
which he dared not trust your own
man with the secret. determined to
substitute myself in lvan'S place and
be near
You are a brave girl, Hclga. for
that Is In the blood of your race. but
you may thank God that we have the
best automobile In the country and
that the summit Of this ridge is only
ten miles away. On the other side 1t
will be down grade, and the roads
will be less obstructed by snow. Bet
ter the risk from terrific speed than
from hungry timber wolves. be-
lieye we shall escape the animals, but
it will be against hundred possible
accidents There now, we are ready.
He Sprang into the automobile and
threw it forward with bound, as @
race horse touched by the spur. And
as he did so there came wild series
Of howls circling them from all sides.
uelga raised fur robe to shield her
face. Alexiff bent forward to the cut
ting wind and flying particles as be-
keen.
A mile through the kissing wind-two
miles-fve-and then shadowy forms
were seen sweeping toward them on
either side and even gaining on them
from behind.
The snow was deeper here, and in
some places the crust gave little.
causing them to sway from side to
side losing speed.
A dark form rushed down upon them
in front. bounded into the air, and the
speed at which both were going car
ried the car entirely under him before
the animal touched the ground, claw
ing Impotently into the snow to check
himself.
Other dark spots appeared and i'll an
instant seemed to sweep down upon
them and passed. One got his claws
upon the box in front and tried to
scramble into the car. AIexiff struck
him off with his fist.
"Helga," he cried, you must take
charge of the machine now and give
her speed. speed. speed. Never mind
risk"
He caught up a short iron headed
staff and swung it to the right, the
left, in front, and with every blow
wolf fell back struggling upon the
snow.
He was n powerful man. and it re-
quired but a single blow accurately
placed.
Another five minutes. with his arms
rising and falling like pendulums. or,
rather. like steam hammers, and then
the automobile swept over the summit
and dropped upon the down grade.
"Now speed, Helen" he yelled as he
struck wolf back upon the snow even
before Its feet had touched the car.
There are hundred Of the brutes
crowding upon us. Faster. More
speed. More speed"'
A wolf was climbing into the car
from behind. another on the left,
third rising into the air in front. The
muscular arms rose and fell thre"
times.
Thwack, thud - thwack, thud
thwack, thud-and the three wolves
were lying struggling and disabled up
on the snow. with the swapping teeth
of their companions closing upon them
The automobile was now rushing
down the slope at fearful speed. An
other wolf was struck away; two
more, and then the animals began to
fall behind. A mile farther, and Alex
ifs hand touched Helga's shoulder.
"Slow a little now," he said. we
have distanced them, l think, so will
just try to keep ahead. You may get
back under the furs."
She returned to her seat, covered
herself with the furs and for a time
was in n partial swoon.
The danger she had passed was too
much for her. She could not get the
savage beasts, their long jaws and
sharp teeth. their hungry eyes, out of
her mind.
Again she saw them climbing into
the automobile and again she saw the
brave man who had fought them rain
ing blows upon them.
1t had seemed to her every moment
that he would be overpowered, and
that meant frightful death, not only
to him but to her.
All this made him to her what he
had never been before. He was not
only hero, he was her protector-he
had saved her life.
Six hours later they swept into Aka
kia, through the turbulent streets and
on to where mass of Russian cavalry
and infantry were about to reduce a
monastery which had advocated re-
volt Policemen sprang forward to
stop the automobile, soldiers moved in
front, but Helga held up something
which glittered in the sun, and at the
sign they all fell back. She went
straight to the officer commanding.
He turned at her appearance, his
face darkening.
II have no time for visitors now,"
he said harshly. Wait until punish
these rebels"
You have time for this" replied
Helga. giving him paper and rails
ing her hand, where shone the sign
of her authority.
The officer muttered something and
took off his hat. Then he read the
paper.
VERY WELL" ne said sourly. Il will
wait twenty-four hours, and then
"You will do well to wait" interrupt
ed Helga sternly. This is time for
compromise. not slaughter. Within
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