The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-26

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: these holidays. driving back and ror,,
IN his sleigh. He was fortunate enomau
70 meet her and asked her 20 90 for -
ride with him. Fearing that n So"
with him she would be punished sLa
uemurred. but lie finally persuaded ba.
and when well on their way he told hor
that they would not stop of their on','
accord I'LL they reached America. She
!, neryed herself TO the risk. ana fron,
that moment Peter pushed forwora
Unfortunately the pair were seen nv =
} member OF the counts family. who 40
soon as possible gave information tbo,
they were driving rapidly westward
As soon as horses could be harnessod
the count himself started In pursuit.
Peter had provided everything tho.
he and Sonia would be likely 10 ,ieed
In the sleigh were warm fur rugs. nro.
visions. bottle OF liquor and nn arma.
ment OF rifles and pistols. The latter
were to be used in case the escape was
dependent upon resistance, FOR Petar
argued that to be caught meant siberia
for him and possibly for Sonia, and fine
punishment could not be worse II no
killed a dozen people Should the pur.
suers come TO close quarters he would
fire at them. trusting to disable tho
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 wrong road and hav-
ing 10 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 gallop tune he
heard the bark of single wolf ahead.
then another and another till a whole
pack were bowling.
Sonia and he turned and looked nj
each other, Sonia with despair He well
knew that there was now double dan.
ger. If they drove on they would be
eaten blythe 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 jlngling behind
slacken. Evidently the barking had
been heard by the pursuers. But it
was not long before the bells again
Bespoke gallop.
Its the count" said Peter. 81 know
him well. He would face certain death
rather than forego an act of tyrrany."
AS they drew nearer the wolves the
larking not only grew louder, but
anne from more throats. The moon
was near the full and lit the dark
loiies OF the animals coming to meet
hem. The horses. frightened. started
10 turn. but Peter gave them the whip,
nd they continued I'm their course.
landing the whip TO Sonia, he seized
! rifle, and as they shot through a
.czen wolves one making a Judgment
N the sleigh was driven of with the
ron barrel brought down on IT'S head.
rhe next instant another springlng at
sonia received n bullet in its breast be-
ween its fore legs and dropped dead.
his gave the pack two carcasses to
light over and the fugitives brief res
lite
Meanwhile the sounds of the APP
rOaching party behind them grew
carer. Peter attributed the counts
ressing on, knowing that he was chas-
lg pack OF wolves which would turn
pom his party and devour them. 10 his
lad desire to get possession of Sonia
nd send him and probably her TO ST.
eria. In this he did the man injus-
ce. Doubtless IL he caught them
e would take his revenge, but he was
brave man and ready TO risk his own
Re TO save that of others.
As soon as the wolves had devoured
lie two Of their number that had been
lied they came on again. 1t seemed
the fugitives that Goals Of fire We're y
irsuing them, the eyes Of the beasts
lining out brightly. Again they over
ok the lovers, and again Peter fired
to the pack. But by this time, while
e double danger added TO his des-
ration, his nerves were not so steady
at first. He fred three shots before
dropped wolf. Then he killed two
pre-.
Sonia laid on the whip, though It
rs not necessary, and the lovers
ew away, while behind them they
uld hear their pursuers approaching
Q wolves. Then there was crack
Of rifles. a yelpiDg Of wounded
imals, the cry of horse, and the
md OF bells ceased,
The brutes have saved u.s." said
ter exultingly. "They have downed
lorse."
he fugitives sped on, hearing again
I again the cracking OF n rifle till at
either the firing ceased or passed
of hearing.
he count and two OF his servants
not been as fortunate as those
" followed. BY the time they reach
the pack the number OF wolves had
lbled. They fought well, but one
the wolves sprung at horses
cat and disabled him. Overwhelm.
fha IN raa ,x....