Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-02-17
these holidays. driving back and forth

riue with MIN. rearing inht III seen
with him she would be punished. she
iemurred but he finally persuaded her.
and when well on their way he told her
that they would not stop of their own
accord till they reached America. She
nerved herself 90 the risk. and from
that moment Peter pushed forward
Unfortunately the pair were seen by
member OF the counts family. who as
soon MS possible gave Information that
they were driving rapidly westward
As soon as horses could he harnessed
the count himself started In pursuit
Peter had provided everything that
he and Sonia would be likely 10 need
In the sleigh were warm fur rugs. pro
visions. bottle Of liquor and an arma.
ment OF rifles and pistols. The latter
were 10 he used In case the escape was
dependent upon resistance. for Peter
argued that to he caught meant Siberia
for him and possibly for Sonia. and the
punishment could not be worse II he
killed a dozen people. Should the pur.
suers come 10 close quarters he would
| fire at them. trusting TO disable the
horses or those attempting TO overhaul
him
The autumn had set In. and already
there was plenty Of snow, well beaten
for easy going. The pursuing party lost
time by taking n wrong road and hay
| ing TO rctrace their steps. II was there
| fore near midnight before they came
into the vicinity Of the fugitives. The
moment Peter heard the sound of bells
behind him ringing in gallop tune he
heard the bark of n single wolf ahead.
then another and another till whole
pack were bowling.
| Sonia and he turned and looked at
each other. Sonia with despair. lie well
knew that there was now double dan
ger II they drove on they would be
eaten by the wolves. Behind them were
capture. separation and Siberia. Peter.
rising TO the occasion. gave the reins
TO Sonia and took up such arms from
| the bottom Of the sleigh as he might
have occasion to use. He had intended
them for human pursuers. Now he
| might need them for both man and
| wolves.
| The lovers heard the jingling behind
slacken. Evidently the barking had
been heard by the pursuers. But IL
was not long before the bells again
bespoke n gallop.
Its the count" said Peter. II know
him well. He would face certain death
rather than forego an act Of tyrrany."
As they drew nearer the wolves the
barking not only grew louder. but
came from more threats. The moon
was near the full and lit the dark
bodies OF the animals coming to meet
them. The horses. frightened. started
10 turn, but Peter gave them the whip.
and they continued In their course.
Handing the whip TO Sonia. he seized
rifle. and ms they shot through a
dozen wolves one making a Judgment
on the sleigh was driven OF with the
iron barrel brought down on its head.
| The next instant another springing at
Sonia received a bullet in its breast be-
tween its fore legs and dropped dead.
This gave the pack two carcasses to
fight over and the fugitives brief res
pite.
| Meanwhile the sounds of the APP
proaching party behind them grew
nearer. Peter attributed the counts
pressing on. knowing that he was chas-
ing a pack Of wolves which would turn
upon his party and dcyour them. TO his
mad desire 10 get possession Of Sonia
and send him and probably her 10 81
beria. In this he did the man injus-
| flee. Doubtless II he caught them
| he would take his revenge. hut he was
brave man aud ready 10 risk his own
| life 10 save that of others.
| As soon ms the wolves had devoured
| the two OF their number that had been
killed they came on again. II seemed
| 10 the fugitives that Goals Of fire We're
pursuing them. the eyes OF the beasts
shining out brightly. Again they over
took the lovers. and again Peter fired
into the pack. But by this time. while
the double danger added 10 his des-
pcration. his nerves were not so steady
as nj first. lie fired three shots before
he dropped wolf. Then he killed two
more.
Sonia laid on the whip. though IL
was not necessary. and the lovers
drew away, while behind them they
could hear their pursuers approaching
the wolves. Then there was crack
Ing " rifles. yelping Of wounded
animals. the cry Of horse. and the
sound OF bells ceased.
THE brutes have saved us said
Peter exultingly They have downed
horse"
The fugitives sped on. hearing again
aud again the cracking 81 a rifle till nj
last either the firing ceased or passed
out OF hearing.
The count and two % his servants
had not been as fortunate as those
they followed by the time they reach
ed the pack the number Of wolves had
doubled They fought well. hut one
| OF the wolves sprang at horses