The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-03
sy MICHEL cruprTzEsCoI.

Il Well and 1t willow The we'll has
no edging. and the willow is only an
old hollow trunk without any
branches. A bucket ON long chain
liz suspended from the willow and
hangs into the water.
This is all you see on the long
road of Prassmet.
Along this read on New Years
eve in, a dashing brigadier of the
red hussars, was driving his thorough
bred horse with lightning speed. With
his left hand he was holding the rains
and with his right he was holding IA
Young girl who was seated in front
of him.
1t vas dreadfulIy cold. even for
this part OF the country, and the sky
was clear as YOU see 1t only on such
starry winter nights The full moon
made it almost as bright as day
After while the horse began to
slow down a little. II was covered
With frozen foam.
't1e two Young people began 10
talk
Are YOU sitting comfortably Jas
sonia ?"
Yes. thank YOU And YOU 90
7? it is as II | were holding para
disc in my arms.
But the poor horse has to carry
us both
oh, my horse is as strong as a
lion"
Suddenly something occurred to
Are you sure he was asleep when
YOU left the house" he asked.
Who . Encla -pian - Ae-uas
sleeping like log. with his feet
against tse stove. Ard. besides. I
listened al the window. He was snor-
ing"
Mean old cuss. your uncie
Like all guardians
Why should he object 10 our mar
rage ."
1T was because Of your military
service. But we have got the best or
him now
Tn horse was galopiug along at a
good gait and they we're half way
When the cocks crowed the cold
grew mere tuteTsT \ ring appeared
pointed ice needles fell the wind
rose furiously from the North Little
clouds gathered, then they gradually
covered the whole sky and II began
to snow
We vii get caught in the storm
LoNin, murmured Jassomia
Let it Try to crtch us," ssid
te+4-iitt -
But the road is growing heavy
and there are wolves"
Let them come, said I4ovin
long dra~n-o't howl VAS heard
behind them
= am afraid. Losin said Jasso-
mia. and trembled
said. My horse runs swifter than
the wind, and my sword cuts llks a
razor ] see something down there.
II is the willow at ;hs well II is not
tar from there to the village
tie pnt the spurs to his horse, and
ettde: Hey, Shoimone. death is
after us"
Shoimone gal'oped furiously -~ the
Rowling IL the wolves spurred IT, on.
They seemed to como from everv-
where. \ pack had got the scent and
WAS in full pursuit
Lovin turned his head On the field
to the left of tho road no saw mum
Der OF dark bodies running In single
hle. Tho sight worried him
There are a lot Of them" he said
But when we reach the we'll |
viii help yott into the tree. and WITH
have both hands free 10 fight them -
Tho horse was running fast Its
toet seemed barely TO touch the
ground, and the snow was like a hail.
storm from its hoofs But thu, wolves
came nearer. The leader was now
alongside the horse. I.ovln drew his
revolver and fred The wolf dropped
dead In the snow. but the others did
not give up the pursuit. Lovin drew
his sword. and dug his spurs into the
heaFing side OF his horse. Jassomia
was cling1ng to the horse's name.
Suddenly the horse stopped and
stood as II nailed to the spot.
What is II. Lovin ."
The well; we came near tumbung
into IT,"
JassomIa was about TO make the
sign Of the cross.
There is no time for PRAYERS
Climb into the willow. We can go
no further. The horse is PLAYED out"
he guided the horse to the tree,
and helped the girl to get up there.
Then he jumped from the saddle.
turned the horse loose. and took up
his position with his back agains, th.
tree, HIS sword In one hand ard 4he
revolver in the other. and calmly
awaited his fate. Jassoma was
cinging TO the tree, half dead with
cold.
The wolves were there now. gath
cred in lump. Lovin was about to
shoot but the horse dashed in be-
tween him and the beasts. planted IT.
self firmly on its forelegs and let fly
his hind legs at the wolves several Of
which dropped dead. The others
formed half circle and advanced.
4 Wolf tried to attack !. In the lank,
but was hit by flying hoof. Another
tried near the head, but the mad
dened horse dug Its teeth through its
fur, and 1t fell back with a howl OF
pain.
For while the nable Shoimone
beat off all attacks. Its kicks were
SO well aimed that the wolves never
had a chance TO bite. The ironshod
hoCfs broke their skulls like paper
Levin followed the fight with his
eyes. He saw faint hope OF saliva
tor. Suddenly an old grey wolf n.ade
a rush for him. His revolver spaa
fire. The wolf fell back. but ii was
only wounded. Two more shots killed
It and q last shot found another vic
tim.
Lovin threw the empty revoiveI.
against the tree and aimed the point
of his sword against an immense old
beast charging madly. The sword
passed clean through the ferocious
beast. Another buried its fangs in
the horses neck and tore out piece
of flesh. The horse screamed, but
fought madly on.
Half "A dozen wolves made for it.
Three of them died with broken