Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-08

to the warning had received. As yell after yell
pealed upon my ears, every moment drawing near
er and nearer. horror for while overpowered me,
and ! did nothing but plunge the spurs into the
painting sides of my horse, madly shouting to urge
him forward. The poor animal, nearly knocked up
by long days ride, dashed on at the top of his
speed, fiinging the froh from his mouth, while his
neck and TANKS were covered with foam and even
at the tremendous rate he going, at every fresh
yell of the iends could feel him tremble in every
limb. All sir, that was an agonizing moment TO
me! Collecting my senses, ] calculated the dis
lance before me- and the possibility of outriding
my pursuers There were some four miles before,
and if my faded horse could but hold out-but that
felt would be impossible. HIS volen, painting
and dropping head too plainly told that he was
nearly used up.
could now hear the rush of the ferocious troop
behind me, and at times imagined could feel their
foul breath upon me. What narrowing thoughts
flashed through my brain Irecalled many instan-
ces had read of travellers similarly situated, and
of the vain efforts they had made to avert their ter
rible fate. tried to disengage my saddle-bags in
the hope that they might for a moment check pur.
suit by diverting the attention of the wolves, but
was unable to do so. | threw my cap in the road
for the same purpose but an angry growl almost at
the heels of my horse told that it had availed moth
ing.
| now bethought myself of my pistols. Hastily
large black wolf which within few feet of me.
kept my eyes in the direction after the discharge
Thank God, the shot took effect, and the nearest
animal dropped dead in the road. In moment the
whole pack was upon him-the entire path behind
me was piled up with stack of wolves, each one
striving to gorge himself on the fallen wolf mo-
nent more and they were IN full pursuit. their m.
petites whetted with blood, and each one seeming
y striving with more eagerness to Guido the other.
had prepared my other pistol and waited to be
sure of my shot With camness that / can now
hardly account for selected the foremost pursuer
and gave him the contents Of the second pistol
This time unfortunately, was not successful /;
only wounded him, and saw the animal linping
off into the woods beside with three or four of the
troop but the remainder came in hot haste after me-
thought then my moments were numbered for
although we were nearly out of the woods, could
feel the poor beast reel and stagger under me- and
every moment ! was dreading his fall, in which
case ! knew my fate would be sealed A cold
clammy sweat stole over me, and prayer invoun-
tanly rose to my lips for Omnipotence alone felt
could save me.
In the hour of danger, with dreadful death
staring him in the face, man instincvely turns tc
his Maker for relief He even who denies the ex-
stence Of God, when brought to the fearful verge
Of life involuntarily acknowledges his error the
last struggle brings cry for mercy from his lips !
Iprayed sir not for rescue from devourng beasts
that did not look for-but in the near prospect
ot death asked for forgiveness, With light
nng-like rapidity my thoughts sped through the
past,-every incident of my life crowded on my
nlhd the evil done and the good left undone. -
BUSY III these reflections forgot the perils wheel
surrounded me, and was only called to a sense Of
my situation by sharp growl at my side. Turn
ing my mead observed an unusually large vol
Swapping at my legs, while others we're leaping a,
the launches of my horse.
well knew that wolves preferred the flesh O
man to that of any other ANIMAL and finding my
self IN this extremity every hope of escape being