Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-10
The Argus Daily Story
The Flight of Serf-By Edgar L. Thompson
Copyrighted by Associated Literary Bureau

In the sleigh were warm fur rugs, pro-
visions, bottle Of liquor and an arma-
ment Of rifles and pistols. The latter
were to be used In case the escape was
dependent upon resistance, for Peter
argued that to be caught meant Siberia
for him and possibly for Sonia, and the
punishment could not be worse IL he
killed dozen people. Should the pur-
suers come to 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, we'll beaten
for easy going The pursuing party lost
time by taking a wrong road and nav
Ing to retrace their steps. 1t 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 gafop tune he
heard the bark Of a single wolf ahead,
then another and another till q whole
pack were bowling.
Sonia and he turned and looked at
each other. Sonia with despair. He we'll
knew that there was now a double dan
ger. II they drove on they weuld 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 jingltng behind
slacken. Evidently the barking had
been heard by the pursuers. But it
was not long before the bells again
bespoke a gallop.
IT'S the count" said Peter. 81 know
him we'll 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
to turn, but Peter gave them the whip,
and they continued in their course.
Handing the whip to Sonia, he seized
rifle, and as they shot through a
dozen wolves one making a Judgment
on the sleigh was driven Off with the
iron barrel brought down on Its head.
The next instant another springing at
Sonia received q bullet in it's breast be-
| tween its fore legs and dropped dead.
| This gave the pack two carcasses to
| fight over and the fugitiv es brief res
pite.
Meanwhile the sounds of the ap-
| preaching party behind them grew
nearer. Peter attributed the counts
pressing on, knowing that he was chas-
ing pack Of wolves which would turn
upon his party and devour them. to his
mad desire to get possession Of Sonia
and send him and probably her 10 ST.
IBERIA. In this he did the man injus-
tice. Doubtless If he caught them
he would take his revenge, but he was
n brave man and ready to risk his own
! life to save that of others.
As soon as the wolves had devoured
the two of their number that had been
killed they came on again. 1t seemed
to the fugitives that Goals Of fire were
pursuing them, the eyes OF the beasts
shining out brightly Again they over
took the lovers, and again Peter fred
into the pack. But by this time, while
the double danger added to his des-
peration. his nerves were not so steady
as at first He fred three shots before
he dropped wolf. Then he killed two
more.
Sonia laid on the whip, though It
was not necessary, and the lovers
drew away, while behind them they
could hear their pursuers approaching
the wolves. Then there was a crack
ing Of rifles, q yelping Of wounded
animals, the cry of a horse, and the
sound of bells ceased.
1.-The brutes have saved u.s. said
Peter exultlngly. "They have downed
a horse"
The fugitives sped on. hearing again
and again the cracking Of rife till at
last either the firing ceased or passed
out OF hearing.
The count and two of his servants
had not been as fortunate as those
they followed. BY the time they reach
ed the pack the number of wolves had
hty lONShL Out cbt
of the wolves sprang at a horses
throat and disabled him. Overwheim-
ed the three men, one after another,
succumbed.
And so it was that a man who was
trying to recover a fugitive serf lost
his life and carried down with him the
lives of two other persons
The lovers, being freed from their
pursuers. proceeded with elaboration
The next evening they reached the
Swedish line, at the head OF the gulf
of Bothnia, where they left their con-
yeyance at an unfrequented spot. on
the east side Of the Tornea river, and,
crossing, found themselves in Sweden.
From there they made their way to
Christiania and from thence to Amer
lea. Setting out toward the west. they
: at last reached the new territory,
which is now the state of North Da-
kota, where they fo1nd many of their
eountrymen and became prosperous
farmers and Peter one Of the principal
men in that region.