Year: 1861

Some years ago Russian nobleman
was travelling on special business in the
interior Of Russia. II was the beginning
of winter, but the frost had set in early.
His carriage rolled up to an inn and he
demanded relay of horses to carry him
on to the next station, where he in
tended to spend the night. The inn
keeper entreated him not to proceed, for
he said there was danger in travelling SO
late-the wolves were out.


The nobleman thought the man merely
wished to keep him as guest he said 1t
was too early for wolves, and ordered the
horses to be put to. He then drove off
with MS wife and his only daughter in
side the carriage with him. On the box
of the carriage was serf, whc had been
born on the nobleman's estate, to whom
he was much attached, and who loved his
master as he loved his own life. They
rolled over the hardened snow and there
seemed no sign of danger. The moon
shed her pale light, and brought out into
FURNISHED silver the road on which they
were going. At length the little girl said
to her father "What was that strange
bowling sound that just heard?"


80, nothing but the wind sighing
through the forest treess," replied the
| father.


The child shut her eyes and was quiet.
But soon she said again "Listen, father,
it is not like the wind, 1 think ~,


The father listened and far, far away
in the distance behind him, through the
clear, cold, frosty air, he heard noise
which he too well knew the meaning off,
He then put down the window, and spoke
to his servant: "the wolves, fear, are az
ter US; make haste. Tell the man to drive
faster, and get your pistols ready" The
position drove faster. But the same
mournful sound which the child had
heard approached nearer and nearer. 1t
was quite clear that pack Of wolves had
scented them out. The nobleman tried
to calm the anxious fears Of his wife and
child. At last the baying of the pack was
distinctly heard. So he said to his SER
want "When they come up with us, do
you single out one and fire, and will
single out another; and while the rest are
devouring them we shall get on"


AS soon as he put down the window,
he saw the pack in full cry behind, the
large dog wolf at their head. Two shots
were fired and two wolves fell. The 9TH
ers instantly set npon them and devoured
them, and meanwhile the carriage gained
ground. But the taste of blood only made
them more furious, and they were soon
up with the carriage again. Again two
shots were fred, and two fell and wore de-
voured. But the carriage was speedily
overtaken and the post house was far dis.
tant. The nobleman then ordered the
position to loose one of his leaders, that
they might gain little time This was
done, and the poor horse plunged frsnti-
cally into the forest and the wolves after
him, and was soon torn to pieces. Then an
other horse was sent off, aud shared tho
same fate. The carriage labored on as
fast as il could with two remaining horses
but the post-house was still distant At
length the servant said to the master: Il
have served you ever since i was child;
! love you as well as my own sell.
Nothing can now save you but one thing.
Let me save you. ask you only to look
after my wife and little ones" The mob
leman demonstrated, but in vain. When
the wolves next came up, the faithful SER
want threw himself against them. The
painting horses gallopcd on with the car
riage, and tho gates of the post .honss
just closed upon it, as tho fcarfnl pack
were on the point Of making their last "a.
tai attack. But the travellers were safe +!


The next morning they went out,
and saw the place whcro the faith.
ful servant had been pulled down by the
wolves. His bones only were there. And
on the spot the no blernan erected wood
en- pillar, on which is written. "(lreatcr
love hath no man than this, that man
lay down his life for his friend" "But
God commended bis love toward M in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for usn--- Russi1n Sk<f<l<s