Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-10

TONS among us, and then feeling of calm
thankfulness for our escape. The night was
cold---and we soon began to shiver and shake,
like SO many sailors on the topmast of an ice.
land whaler. But there was no murmur---no
complaining among us, for we could distinct
" see the gaunt attenuated bodies of the wolves
beneath u.s.. and every now and then we could
see great glowing eyes staring up in the tree
where we were seated. And then their wells
they were loud, long and devi|ish.
! know not how long we had remained in
this situation, for we had no means of ascer.
tanning the tlme---when heard limb of tho
tree cracking, as if breaking down beneath the
weight OF us; and moment after, the Shrek
went throughsmy ears like the piercing of a
knife. A light form went pluneing down ,hro'
the naked branches, and fell with dull and
heavy sound upon the still snow.
"Oh God! am donc!''
1t was tho voice of Caroline Allen. The
poor girl never spoke again! There was hor-
rid dizziness and confusion in my brain, and
spoke not---and | stirred not, for the whole
was at that time like an ugly, unreal dream.
only remember that there were cries and
shnddering around me; perhaps joined them
..-and that there were smothsred grcans and
dreadful bowls underneath! 1t was all over
IN a moment. Poor Carolne!-- was liter
ally eaten alive! The wolves had frightful
least, and they became raving mad with the
taste OF blood.
Wien came fully to myselc--when the
horrible dream went olf---and it lasted but
moment.--1 struggled to shake Off the arms Of
my sisters. which were clinging around ne,
and could have cleared myself, should have
jumped down among the raging animals. But
when second thought came ovcI me, knew
that any attempt TO rescue would be useless,
AS for poor Mason. he was wild with horror
lie had tried to follow Caroline when she fell,
but he could moi shake off the grasr Of his ter
rifed sister. His youth, and weak counten-
ancc and frame. were unable to Withstand the
dreadful trial; and he stood close hy nv side
with his hands firmly clcnchcd and his teeth
set closely. gazing down uponth dark, wrang-
| ling creatures below with The fixed stare of a
maniac. 1t was indeed terrific scene. A.
round MS was The thick cold nigh,.--and below,
The ravenous wild beasts were tapping their
bloody jaws, and bowling for another victim
The morning broke at last. and our fright
full enemies fled at the first advance Of day.
light, like 80 many cowardly murderers. We
waited until The sun had risen. before we ven
tured TO crawl down from our resting place.
We were chilled ,hrongh---cvcry limb was
numb with cold and terror---and poor Mason
was delirious. and raved wildly about tho
dreadful things he had Witnessed. There were
bloody stains all around the tree, and two or
three long locks OF hair were lramplcd in the
snow.
We had gone but little distance when we
were met by our friends from the settlement.
who had become alormcd at our absence. They
were shocked at our wild and lrighful appear
ancc; and my brothers have oiten,imes told
me that a, first view we I'LL seemed like so ma.
ny crazed and brain stricken creatures. They
assisted us toreacI, our homes; bnt Harry Ma.
s,n never recovered fully from thu, dreadful
trial. lie neglected his business. his studies
and his friends. anon, mnitoring TO himself a.
bout that dreadful night lie fell 10 drinking
soon after, and died miserable drunkard, be-
fore age had wliiened hair Of his head.
For my part confess have never entirely
overcome the terrors Of The melancholy cir
cumsiance, which have endeavorcd 10 d..
scribe. The thought fit has haunted me like
my own shadow; and even now, the whole
scene comes at times freshly before me in nv
dreams. and start with something Of the
same feeling Of terror which experienced
when, more than half Il century ago, Ipasscd
night among the wolves.