THE WOLF CUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 13, 17 January 1916, Page 3

THE WOLF CUB.

HOW HE WATCHED THE GEIt MANS DEOWN.

In a long description of the conditions in the Pripet marshes tlie Central News’ Petrograd corresponded sends a story of a boy of 12 who was found by a Cossack patrol Tying wounded. When he recovered consciousness the lad said:— "I was with the Germans on Satur day in the marshes. I have drowned them. It is tire fifth party I lia«*-» drowned. ’ ’ "How did vou drown them?’*

‘‘l led them astray. They came our village. I was the only one remaining there; alii the others had gone. I remained.” "And are you not afraid?”

"Whj* should I fear? I am in nw own place, with plenty of food. But you see, they have shot me. I have been wounded.”

"Why?” "I led them .here. When they came to the village I went to meet them. They looked at a piece of paper an** saw that I was leading them in the right direction. I led them quite wrong. ’ ’

"I LAUGHED.” "I am small and light. I have polo, and I can skip across the tufts of grass. Then I know a place where the ground is harder, near some trees. The Germans wore stout and heavy, and they sunk deeper and deeper into the mud and screamed at me. Then I laughed, and they fired at me in iheir rage; but they sank deeper, and as 1 hid behind the trees I watched them disappear. ’ ’ "I was shot, and Say there from the Saturday to the Tuesday, and became cold and weak for want of food. Now I shall not lead them astray again.” The Cossacks listened to the boy. One of them said: "See the young-wolf-cub, who saw people drowning before his eyes!” MOTHER AVENGED.

But the boy lifted himself up and looked at the Cossack. “If I am a wolf-cub, what are they?” he said. “What did they do to my mother?” And he told a terrible story of cruelty and lust, am* described how he had promised mother to avenge her. “I did not want to wait until I grew up,” he said; “I wanted to take my revenge now. She died at the hands of the Germans; let them die too.”' The boys’s eyes fired up like the eyes of a Avolf. “When I get well- I shall continue 1o drown them, ’ ’ he said. Towards evening the little fellow breathed his last.