The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-26
III. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.

treacherous path had followed was Of
course increased. When standing still with
; doubt and uncertainty, the long drawn
howl of a wolf came with fearful dis.
tinctness upon my ear. So suddenly it
came, it pierced like knell 'the fearful
hollow of my ear" announcing in tone
not TO be misunderstood, the kind of COM
panions | should be likely TO have. should
| be compelled TO pass the night in the
woody labyrinth--a prospect which, though
by no means agreeable, seemed yet not ini-
probable. Nevertheless, | resolved to pro-
coed, and either to come safely out or TO
brave whatever dangers might encounter
with manly heart. Wandering on as well
as might in my former direction, soon
found myself near a brook which murmured
on through a shady dell. and Immediately
determined TO follow dissatisfied that it must,
sooner or later, conduct me into The open
world once more. 1t was now after sunset,
and so dark that could scarcely see 10 pick
my dubious and fearful way. would
have lightened myself of my burden, but
| the increased bowling of The wolves. which
seemed TO be gathering in body behind
me. warned me that it might soon become
my only protection. You may be sure that
these not musical but most melancholy
notes tended not TO diminish my speed or
trepidation, and | seemed TO be chasing
down the little brook with all the demons
of the pit crowding and yelling behind me.
Presently could detect discordan' note
among the voices of this Internal choir,
which knew at once 10 be the cry of the
panther, than which would rather have
met in general assembly all the wolves of
the forest. Notwithstanding the increase of
sperd caused by the last unpleasant discov-
erv, 1t awaited me so little that ] could soon
distinguish the rustling of leaves and crack
ing of dry branches, and presently after,
the measured bounds of the panther struck
plain upon nv ear and TO my heart. When
it seemed to my frighied fancy that could
almost feel the monsters hot breath upon
me and see in the dark the glare Of his eye
/ balls, procured temporary reprieve by
dropping one quarter of my fine buck .which
| | had intended for far different purpose.
However, well knew that he would delay
! only to return with increased ferocity after
his repast. Iquickened my pace, if that
were possible, siraining every nerve with a
faint hope of gaining the edge of the wood
| before was again placed in so dangerous
vicinity TO my pursuer, but in vain: |
could soon distinguish again his heightened
bounds, each one bringing him nearer and
nearer.
When he had approached so near that |
considered him too familiar, again bai.ed
him with my venison. This did till my
load was gone and, instead of being Salts
| fed, the fierce animal seemed but to have
sharpened his appetite for richer repast.-I
When had dropped the least remaining
| fragment, nv means of defence or escape
seemed 10 have been exhausted. Howev-
er, resolved TO climb with all haste into
the first tree which would admit of it, and
defend myself as well as | could with the
sole remaining charge IN my rifle By good
fortune Immediately discovered one which
answered my purpose very well. 1t was
of middle size, and destitute of branches
for some twenty or thirty feet from the
ground. found no difficulty in climbing
it with gun in hand, as my short sojourn
in the country had made me quite an adept
at many such indispensable accomplish.
ments.
had no sooner seated myself on the first
Dough, ready with my gun, than could
hear my late acquaintance bounding for
ward again, and soon, by the dim light that
had enabled me TO discover the tree, dis
cerned his form alternately ascending and
defending, leaping high into the air, and,
il seemed to me. full twenty feet forward
each time. II did not in the least puzzle
his sagacity to comprehend that the trail he
was following came TO a very abrupt con-
cluson; for after running several times
rpunG the tree, he finally settled himself
down beneath it, and raised such a tremen-
drous yelp that in spite Of all my attempts
10 wear a brave heart and yield as little as
possible 10 terror, this, with the long and
quaverng cry of the approaching pack,
could moi but run like iron through my blood.
Much to nv asionishment, the wolves SEEM
ed content to occupy the background. THIS
was soon explained by The appearance Of
another I.anlher. These two formidable
enemies occupied the ground alone, while
the murderous but cowardly wolves SUNK
back into the obscurity of the woods
| Upon this new arrival, the two seemed
, for a short time to be holding an internal
, council. Soon one of them started and ran
off, while the other remained crouchIng be
4 meath the tree. was at a loss TO compre'
] bend precisely what this movement might
:, import. though could in any case only re-
l. main quiet, with my rifle ready poised. Ii
= was difficult TO resist the temptation o.
It firing at the remaining one, but ! resolved
: to preserve my last charge in case of great
| er emergency.
!. now had leisure to plan every method
= of escape that my invention could devise
il Other reflections by 10 means so pleasan
|, would persist in intrdding themselves.
b had remained in this position but few min
d utes when heard slight crackle of dry
;. branch in another tree distant two or thre'
h rods from the one was in. darted IN,
a ewes in that direction, and there, crouche
d on limb little higher than the one res