Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-20

there was plenty Of snow. well beater
for easy going. The pursuing party lost
| time by taking wrong road and hav
Ing to retiace 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 al
each other, Sonia with despair. He well
knew that there was now double dan
ger. If 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 II
was not long before the bells again
bespoke gallop.
"1t's 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
,ame from more throats. 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
md they continued In their course.
Handing the whip to Sonia. he seized
rite. and us they shot through u
dozen wolves one making lodgment
on the sleigh was driven of with the
iron barrel brought down on its head
The next instant another springing ut
Sonia received n 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 ap-
preaching 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 devour them, to his
mad desire to get possession of Sonia
and send him and probably her to 81
beria. In this he did the man injus-
tice. Doubtless If he caught them
he would take his revenge, but he was
q 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 fired
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 fired 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
r.
ing of rifles. yelping Of wounded
animals, the cry Of horse, and the
sound of bells ceased.
1.-The brutes have saved u.s." said
Peter exultingly. 'They have downed
q horse"
The fugitives sped on. hearing again
and again the cracking Of rifle 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
doubled. They fought well, but one
Of the wolves sprang at horses
throat and disabled him. Overwhelm'
ed, the three men. one after another.
succumbed.
And SO 1t was that man who was
trying to recover 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 deliberation.
The next evening they reached the
Swedish line, mt the head of the gulf
Of Rothnia. where they left their con-
teyance at an unfrequented spot. on
the eust side of the Tornea river. and.
crossing. found themselves In Sweden.
From there they made their way to
Christinnia and from thence to Amer
lea Setting out toward the west, they
ut last reached the new territory.
which is now the state Of North Da-
kota. where they found many Of their
countrymen and became prosperous
farmers and Peter one Of the principal
men In that region.