Year: 1875

Englishman.


"True. You blaze away at them wher
| they get near enough-I see you are al
excellent shot--and will keep these fellows
behind busy with each others carcasses."
Care was taken to load the guns as fast rs
fired, for fear that the time might be near al
hand when they could not spend time for
that purpose. The wolves had not yet got
near enough to use the revolvers upon them.
More than dozen wolves had been shot
and devoured up to this time, serving to
keep them back by the consequent delays
each time that two of them fell by the un.
erring aim of the count and his companion.


The large pack that came down in quar-
tering direction were now quite near, and
the Englishman aimed and fired. 1t was
impossible to miss them, they were so close
together, and two instantly dropped, rolled
over, and stained the snow with their blood
The pack halted and tore them in pieces,
while the sleigh kept on its steady course
throwing them far behind, and they Joined
those Immediately in the rear The crowd
of ravenous and ferocious creatures now
numbered sixty or more, two or three fresh
wolves joining them every few moments
from different directions.


The count kept busy with his guns but
said not a word The expression upon his
features, however, was one of considerable
anxiety, and he was careful to reload at
every fire.


The wolves now spread themselves out, all
the while on the run, in the shape Of half
moon or crescent, so that the two ends of
the pack, now numbering hundred at least.
nearly came on range with the sides of
the sleigh, though some rods distant.
The count and his companion kept busy,
and at each fire OF the double-barrel guns, a
couple of wolves were sure to drop, when all
the pursurers would stop for few minutes
to devour their comrades, and again COM
mence the chase.


twas impossible in the partial darkness to
tell where the additions to the mad creatures
came from, but that the pack was rapidly in
creasing was very manifest, and in order to
keep them from coming near enough to leap
upon the sleigh and its occupants, and the
two gentlemen were compelled to fire rap
idly, and to distribute their shots all along
the curving line of the prrsuers.


"Ths is terrible" said the count at last
as there no end to their numbers ?" as he
reloaded his gun after killing couple of
the nearest.


81 suppose they would devour us instantly,
if they reach US" said the Englishman.


Undoubtedly y replied the count.


"Ivan?"


eyes, count"


"Hold pour revolver ready. They are
coming close now, and we must blaze away
all at once, dropping as many as possible,
and this will give them good check, at
least for few minutes"


The horses seemed to realize the exigency
of the case and though painting severely at
the long-continued exertion, still kept press
ing forward at swift pace. Though more
than forty wolves had been shot, and de-
voured by their comrades, it seemed that the
taste of blood had only fired the appetites
of the rest of the pack, the numbers of
which had increased continually until more
than hundred and fifty were now bowling
after the sleigh.


AS the count had said, they were drawing
very near now, and the guns were rapidly
emitted into their ranks. Each drew his
revolver for close action, the gentlemen
taking revolver in each hand just in time
Fifty open mouths were beside the sleigh on
either side, and hundred behind!


"Now, altogether" said the count; "let
them have it right and left"


Ivan, who was perfectly cool, fred his six
charges with deliberate though rapid aim,
dropping half-dozen wolves, while the
count with both hands fired down their
threats on his side, and the Englishman,
though with less GOODNESS, yet with equal
effect, shot down the ravenous beasts on his
side. More than dozen of them rolled
over on their sides, while the rapid dis
charges of the revolvers nearly together
started the horses to fresh exertion and they
separated from the wolves, who paused to
devour the bodies bleeding upon the snow.


The delay among the pursuing beasts, who
fought wildly over the bodies which they SO
quickly tore in pieces, gave the party in the
sleigh breathing moment, though briet
one. The time was improved to reload all
the reyolvers and the guns, while the horses
were eased little in their rapid gait in order
to save their strength for crisis which wa.
doubtless to follow 1t was four miles a
least to the shelter of his own grounds, a
the count was compelled to admit Whethe
they could keep the ferosious beasts at bay
long enough to travel that distance was
problem.


The pack now turned again to pursue tn,
sleigh.


THANK heaven for this respite, short as
is" said the count, drawing long breath
and disposing the guns for ready use, no,
all reloaded.


The young Englishman said little. ii
had felt the hot breath of these wild creg
lures in his very face, and the frightfui situ
alton was something appalling Howev'
he braced himself to do his best in fightin
the terrible enemy, who were again drawin
closer and closer TO the sleigh.


Once more the count aud his companio


began dropping them two at a time, so den,


were their numbers that every shot told b'
notwithstanding these brief checks the


were gaining on the sleigh, their numbers
, no perceptible degree lessened, though
many had been killed. Indeed, more no
f joined them, coming from piece of woo
, which they were now passing. The hors


labored painfully, They had been terrib
t tried by the long and continuous drag upt
: their strength.


"Our revOlvers once more" said the cou
: as he emptied the last loaded gun into t
Y savage enemy. "It is to be close acti
: again. Get ready your revolver, Ivan"