TJic Home of the IVohrreue and Beaver. 1 1"] 



dark, and dreary, and after sunset scarcely a glimpse 

 of light or glow of warmth was to be found save in 

 the bosoms of the young lovers who boldly pene- 

 trated these gloomy solitudes. One night they set 

 forth undeterred by the snow, a thin coating of 

 which covered the ground, and rendered the little 

 frequented path almost undistinguishable. As 

 though foreboding evil they took the precaution to 

 carry their axes, in the use of which the plantation 

 negroes are remarkably expert, and hurried forward 

 as rapidly as the tangled track would allow. The 

 darkness was intense, though now and then a break 

 in the trees slightly lessened the gloom, or a leaden 

 cloud rifting asunder allowed them a transient 

 glimpse of a feeble star. As they pushed on 

 silently, but resolutely, a fearful howl arose which 

 froze the very blood in their veins, for they knew 

 too well the cry of the hungry wolf, and rightly 

 judged that they were surrounded by a pack of 

 these famished demons. Instinctively they paused 

 for a few moments, during which the beating of 

 their hearts was almost audible — the darkness 

 showed them nothing — and an ominous silence 

 reigned around. Whispering comfort and hope to 

 each other, and holding their axes in readiness, 

 the lovers again stepped forward, but before a dozen 

 yards were covered the foremost was assailed by 



