Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-28
TIE FIRE SIDE.
From Merry'S Museum.
THE BOYS AND THE WOLVES.

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During severe winter, several years ago, two
boys were driving a sleigh through the woods in
the northern part of Vermont. The season was
uncommonly cold, and the snow lay at the aver
age depth of five feet. But the boys in question
were hardy fellows, accustomed to the climate,
and moreover, they were well wrapped up in
cloth and turs
They had occasion to pass from one town to
another, where portion Of the road led through
dense forest, for four miles, without single
house, Soon after they had entered upon this
solitary portion of their Journey they were start
led at hearing the grulT, husky bark of a wolf in
the adjacent thickets In few moments, the
animal sprang out from his cover, and came
rushing to the side of the Sleigh making des-
perate plunge at the eldest boy, who was dri-
wing.
The youth gave the furious brute rough sa-
lutte with his whip, and for moment the animal
skunk back abashed---the boy taking advantage of
this put his horse to the utmost speed. The
creature, however was faded, and nothing better
than a smart trot could be extorted from him.
The wolf soon rallied, and now renewed his
attack accompaniment by one ofhs companions
He again assaed the driver, while the other
came up to the STERN and threatened to leap in
to the sleigh At last, the horse seemed to no.
tee the savage growing of the wolves and now
being seriously heightened, he broke into round
gaop and flew forward with all his might The
wolves pursued, keeping by the side ofthe sleigh
and occasionally making fierce leap for the
purpose of springing into the vehicle.
The two boys had no weapon of defence but
the whip; yet they carried brave front In
one or two instances, the pursuers had partially
succeeded in mounting the sleigh, but they were
knocked off by the butt-end ofthe whip. 1t was
however, a serious race, and the little fellows
saw that their danger was extreme BY the time
they had passed one half of the Forest and while
they were yet two miles from any house where
they could hope for assistance, the wearied horse
began to relax his speed, and the wolves, as il
? rendered desperate by strife, became even more
daring and furious than before
The sleigh in which the two boys were driv
ing, consisted of box about FIVE feet in length
by three and half in width. 1t was placed up
on a floor, and this was fastened to the runners
The depth ofthe box was about two feet. Snug
: ging down, and shetering themselves as well al
they could or starting from side to side as occas
ion required, in order to escape the fangs of thu
foe, the boys continued their course. 1t seemed
however that they must at last he overcome, ant
, fall victims to their fierce assailants. Nothing
: indeed could have saved them but most unex
: pected accident, and one which might hav
seemed to expose them to certain death.
While the horse was advancing with consider
: able speed, he came to short turn in the road
S Cramped by the ridges of snow on either side
: the sleigh was thrown out ofthe track, and ris
e ing with sudden bound, was completely over
) turned, and thrown to a considerable distance-
h the two boys being caught beneath as in trap
y The edges of the board sank deep in the snow
and the impulse Of the horse snapped the trace
in an instant lie was liberated, and pursue
his career rapidly toward the village.
9 The wolves were at first disconnected by tn
adventure and hesitated whether TO pursue tn