The native American., 1838-03-10
THE BAcKwooDs OF AMERICA.
IFtom the Metropolitan Maga.iae.l

Ill
hear of the ravages committed by the wolves IN
habitinq some of the mountainous regions OF Eu-
rope he is by comparison with his brethren OF
the Old World very harmless sort OF creature.
This greater mildness of disposition is not, how
ever, owing to any physical deficiency; for al
though certainly less voracious than the European
wolf, he is somewhat larger and stronger. In
America they are rarely known 10 attack human
beings; for during long residence in district
where they were rather numerous, never was
able to make out clear case where person had
been attacked by them. / have indeed heard Of
persons being pursued, or hunted, as the Ameri-
cans call it, by number of wolves; but in all
such cases the individuals were on horseback;
and therefore the probability is, that the wolves
pursued the horses, and not the men. However,
from the facts am about to relate, it would seem
otherwise.
medical gentleman residing not far from the
Chemung river, tributary Of the noble Susque-
hanna, had one night, In the middle OF winter,
been visiting sick person at distance OF eight
or ten miles from his own house. The country
In that vicinity was then quite new, and but very
few settlers had encroached on the aboriginal for
ests. The doctor had been accustomed for some
years to travel through those wild regions at all
seasons, and at all hours, by day and by night,
but never had been in any way molested; nor had
he ever had the slightest apprehension of danger
from the wolves that were known occasionally to
inhabit the surrounding woods On the night in
question, he set off homeward at a late hour as
he frequently had been wont to do; but before he
had proceeded far, he became aware of his being
pursued by gang of wolves. The night was
exceedingly frosty, but clear and starlight For
while they were only heard at distances but
by and bye the doctor could clearly distinguish
FIVE or six Of them in full chase within less than
twenty rods of him. The snow being pretty
deep at the time, he found it was impossible to
leave them; SO he made up his mind to quit his
horse, and ascend the first tree which appeared
favorable Tor such purpose. 1t was not long
before such one offered; and, permitting his
horse to go at large, he was amongst the branch
in few seconds, and quite out of reach of his
hungry pursuers. He never doubted but they
would continue in pursuit of his horse, which he
fattered himself would be able, now that he was
relieved from his load, to make his escape. But,
to his surprise, he beheld no fewer than eight
large wolves come round the tree on which he had
taken shelter, and, instead of pursuing his horse,
quietly awaiting his coming down. Although he
had no wish to descend under such circumstances,
he was fully aware of the fate that awaited him
should he find it expedient to remain until morn
ing in his present situation. To escape from the
effects of the keen frost he knew was impossible;
and therefore he determined to maintain his posi-
ton, In spite of the occasional serenading of the
party below. What his feelings were during the
night, or how the wolves conrived to amuse them
selves for SO many hours, cannot precisely
state; but about day dawn they united in a
farewell howl, and left the poor benumbed
doctor at liberty to descend. With great diff
Guilty he succeeded in reaching the ground; and
with still more he managed to reach the nearest
dwelling, distant about three miles, from whence
he was conveyed to his own house in sleigh.
Had his family been aware that the horse had
returned without its rider they undoubtedly
would.have gone in search of the doctor, and
most probably have relieved him from his i'm
pfisonment at much earlier hour But although
the horse had no doubt galloped straight to the
stabe-door, the family knew nothing oil its arrival
until daylight returned
The doctor did not escape without expert
encing the i'll effects Of roosting for half dozen
hours in a leahess tree, in severe North Ameri-
can January's frost for modification ensuing
in both his feet, the only chance Of saving his
life was by amputating both his legs. However,
the doctor yet lives to narrae his adventures, or
as he terms it, 81 his wolf scrape;" J" and is one
of the few instances record in his part Of the
world of having been in real danger OF becoming
supper for few Of those hungry animals.
The winter was more than usually severe
among the mountains on the north waters Of
the Susquehanna. The snow fell pretty early
In the month of December, SO that winter might
be said to have set in pretty decidedly some
time before Christmas. | had been on visit
for few weeks sin the vicinity Of S.
l.; but had accepted Of an invitation to
meet party of my own country people, at the
residence of my kind friends, Mr.. and Mrs
t, OH the last day in December, with an
understanding that we were !" to dance in the
new year; for even in the back settlements of
America we could at times meet and dance, and
enjoy whatever the country afforded, forgetting
for time the gayer and more splendid scenes we
had once been familiar with in our dear native
country. The distance | had to travel was but
six miles; yet the road-if dim track through
the woods might be so called-was at all sea-
sons bad, now thesnow was SO deep that it rend-
cred it still worse, that it took considerable
time to get through it. At that season of tn
year the wolves occasionally infest the neighbour
hood; and although at all seasons depredations
are liable to be committed upon the small flocks
of fsheeP in the vicinity, yet it is in the winter.
when they pack and hunt together, that the
greatest danger is to be apprehended The day
previous to my proposed vista party Of thirteen
(for their numbers were easily ascertained by
- 4. Al, lal r