THE WOLF. 43 



was too scanty for their craving appetites. Again they 

 started in full career, and the race became most terrible. 

 The woman knew that she was nearing her home, and the 

 swiftness of her steed, though continued for many miles, 

 seemed to increase rather than diminish. A transient hope 

 of escape, with her little boy, her youngest born, whom she 

 loved more than life, arose in her bosom, and she resolved, 

 at all events, to perish herself, if her child also could not be 

 saved. But she hoped, and resolved in vain. The fierce 

 herd grew near and nearer, and the woman pressed the 

 babe to her bosom with convulsive energy ; a wolf, out- 

 stripping the rest, sprang upon the shaft of the vehicle, and 

 actually seized upon the child as it cowered, screaming, in 

 its mother's arms. The latter, paralyzed with horror, 

 relaxed her hold, and the wolf bore off his prey. In a mo- 

 ment more, the light of the pioneer's dwelling gleamed 

 over the waste of snow, and the woman sank into her hus- 

 band's arms ; out no light could re-illume the brain for 

 ever darkened by the events of that awful night. Her 

 mind was a hopeless wreck, and she died, an idiot. 



