'
No one contradicted the priest's arrangement, for his last words were
felt to be true--though a pang passed over Constanza's face at the
thought of leaving our brave and faithful horses to the wolves: but
louder rose the howls behind us, as Metski urged on with all his
might, and far above all went the shout of Father Cassimer (he had the
best lungs in that province): 'Ho, Wenzel! open the door to us for
God's sake!'
We heard the old man reply, sent one well-aimed volley in among the
wolves, and as they recoiled, man and woman leaped from the
sledge--for our Polish girls are active--and rushed into the cottage,
when old Wenzel instantly double-barred the door. It was woful to hear
the cry of pain and terror from our poor horses as we deserted them;
the next instant the wolves were upon them. We saw them from the
window, as thick as ever flies stuck on sugar. How we fired upon them,
and with what good-will old Wenzel helped us, praying all the time to
every saint in the calendar, you may imagine! But still their numbers
were increasing; and as a pause came in the fearful din, we plainly
heard through the still air the boom of our own great bell, ringing
for the midnight mass.
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