Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

The Ladies National Magazine, edited by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, contains, in the July number, a thrilling picture of a family-a mother and her children-being chased by wolves. The story told is as follows:
A few years ago, toward the close of a winter’s day, a mother and her children were traveling in Canada behind a one-horse sledge. Suddenly, from the forest, by which they were passing, issued a gang of wolves. It was a terrible moment when the mother first beheld these ravenous animals in full pursuit behind her, but she knew the only hope was in the superior swiftness of her horse, and so she retained sufficient presence of mind to urge him forward at the top of his speed. The noble animal seemed aware of his danger; he snorted fiercely on hearing the howl of wolves, and dashed ahead at a frightful pace.
On came the hungry animals, and fast fled the affrighted horse. Miles were soon past over, but miles of trackless waste yet remained before the travelers would reach the first village. Mean time the wolves gained on the fugitives. The mother clasped her babes closer to her bosom, as the howling animals came up, and, running almost at the sledge, threatened every moment to drag her and the little ones down. But the terrified horse seemed to gain supernatural speed, and on he dashed with increased velocity, snorting with affright. For awhile, the wolves were left in the rear, but his speed soon slackened, and again they gained on the sledge. The horrible now occurred to the mother of throwing over one of her children, and thus staying for awhile the pursuit; for she had heard of such an alternative having once been resorted to. But she sprang from the horrible thought with a shudder. She urged on the horse again, and once more he sprang ahead and increased the distance between her and the wolves. Thus, for another hour, she continued the prey of alternate despair and hope. Now she seemed in the very jaws of death, now an almost preternatural exertion of speed on the part of the horse gave her a momentary respite. At length the village was in sight. But, horrible to relate, at this moment she heard a crack, as if the sledge had given away. The runner had broke; she surrendered herself in despair. Through the fast gathering night she, caught a view of the farmhouse on the outskirts of the village. To die thus in sight of safety was terrible. She looked agonizingly on the face of her children, who were now sobbing piteously; she strained them to her bosom: she shut her eyes on the scene that was to follow. But, strange to say, the sledge still held together; and the horse, recognizing his home, dashed forward at a pace that left the wolves behind. She looked up once more: they were now close to the village. The inhabitants, by this time, had become alarmed; but the wolves kept up their pursuit to the very gate of the farm-house, and yielded their expected prey slowly and sullenly. The sledge, on examination, was found to be so much injured that it would have broken down before another mile. An escape like this surprises anything in fiction.