Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-11-02

was waiting to see what Il might pOr
tend
As they sped straight ut him, swift
ly, unswervingly, another wolf would
have turned and fled. This one moved
toward them slowly, his head up.
showing his teeth.
But as they rushed on to within
twenty yards, ten yards, five yards,
implacable, silent save for the click
ing of their skates, even the Lone
VOLTS front began to waver. What
did II mean? He was accustomed to
see people turn and fly, or at least
hide behind trees or rocks and shoot
at him. But these did neither; they
were rushing down on him as though
perfectly sure of the result--as, of
course, they were. otherwise they
would not do It.
And apparently with this conclusion
Lone VOLTS last vestlge Of bravado
gave way, for he turned and fed In
continently down the lake. The boys
gave one ringing shout and followed.
But as they flew on they wondered
how the thing would end II was more
inspiring to chase than be chased;
but they knew enough Of wolf nature
stopped the wolf would stop also,
and the moment they turned back he
would follow. And as the animal
seemed to have no trouble In keeping
ahead Of them now, they wondered a
little uneaslly how II would be In case
they were pursued.
However, there was small danger
Of that so long as they pressed hin
closely. He was running now with
nose to the ice and ears fiat, the very
embodiment OF frantic haste and fear.
mile was passed in this way-two {;
and then Lone Wolf swerved in toward
long, narrow cove, beyond which
lay the denser forest and his strong
hold.
On and still on, and now the boys
were thinking more Of their own es-
cape than the VOLTS. BY this time
Aunt Roxy was too far away to be
in danger; besides, If the animal had
not already forgotten her scent, 1t
would take time to recover 1t. Once
or twice they slackened their speed,
slightly, thinking to let him increase
the distance up the lake. But the sec
ond their speed decreased his de-
creased also, and they could see him
turn back his head lnqulrngly. Then
they sped forward again, more i'm
petuously than ever. His fear was
their only safety now. That gone, they
could not stand against him without
weapons; and they were not MS con-
Adent about dlstanclng him on skates
as they had been.
On and still on, and at length they
saw the faint glimmerlng light of q
camp fire in the distance. 1t rushed
toward them rapidly; like the head
light Of a LOCOMOTIVES; but the wolf
with his head turned back, fearful
and yet suspicious Of his pursuers
did not see 1t until too late to turn
aside. As he reached the circle Of
light and swerved sharply at right
angles to his course, there came 9
flash and report, and with one con
vulsive bound he rose into the all
and then fell back upon the Ice mo
tlOnless. A second later the boys
came to stop beside him.
TOO late, pardners," the owner OF
the campfire called gruffly; "he's my
pelt now. shot him." Then, as he
came forward, "Hello, ED and All
Grecni You here2 What you doln'
huntin a critter like Lone Wolf In
the night? Where's your guns?"
Haven't any," Ed answered, color
ing little; land for that matter, not
even a jackknife." Then he told Of
tlcIr meeting with Aunt Roxy, and
the subsequent chasing OF the wolf.
rh" man listened incredulously at
first then derlslvely, then with some
lhlns else coming into his deep-set
eyes.
ITS the craziest, most ldlOtlc, tool
lshest-" He stopped suddenly and
placed hand upon each OF the boys
shoulders, "bravest thing I've come
across. I'm glad Aunt R0xy's all
right. She nursed my little girl back
TO life once. But come up to the fire
and eat supper with me. It's Just
ready. Then III skin the wolf an
after that go back home with you.
Mebbe there's more wolves prOwlin'
round, an US jest ms well to have
somebody along with a gun. Chased
old Lone Wolf clean across the lake
without so much MS Jackknlfe HIM,
him Most ldlOtlc-h'm-brav thing
ever kneww