Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-08-06


Yankees generally are-and then there was a chs,
Of his features did not like. Besides these, he
seemed to eve my saddle bags IN very suspicious
manner, and | imagined detected two or three
ganees Of doubtful meaning, exchanged between
the man and woman I am not suspicious in my
nature but hang me if could shake of the I'M
preston that the dangers TO be apprehended from
the wolves we're less than those which | had to
fear from passing night in that house. There
had been a number Of flying reports Of travellers
being made way with in such solitary places, and
this appeared to the place Of all others for such
kind Of work So bidding good bye to my enter
talners, put spurs 10 my horse and was soon out
Of sight.
"Well sir, logged along at mddling brisk
pace, the road being toleraby good, thinking more
Of the cabin that had Just left than the road be-
fore me. | may have wronged It's inhabitants-l
trust / did--in allowing myself 10 indulge in such
uniayorable surmises in regard to them. They
might have been the most worthy couple in the
world for ought know-siill | could not get the
idea out of my head that they we're no better than
they should be-and my memory called up the
many instances Of lonely travellers being murder.
ed at the stopping places, Imagination converted
tins man and woman into those hear less wreiches
whose trade IS blood, aud | shuddered at the
thought Of the fate that might have overtaken me,
had yielded to their imporiunate request to tar
~ with them that night
Right glad was | TO be well clear Of them
Wolves, tut, said I, they only tried to excite my
apprehensions to induce me TO remain with them.
That story might do very well to brighten chill
dren with, but they should have hatched up some
thing more plausible than that to gull like
me-
"By this time had GO, over the open road and
was entering the woods. The path was henmed 10
on every side BY tall trees, spruce pine and hem
lortr srtfb 9Th
sage. However, full moon threw It's unbroken
light along the path that stretched before me, save
where overhanging tree obsiructed its rays. 1t
was a still, calm night as have said, and no sound
broke the silence, save the monotonous clstter ol
the hoofs Of nv horse as he went along on an easy
trot. was settling down into very comfortable
frame of mind, INDUCING in those fanciful reveries
natural to youth, and which the quiet and lonely
scene around me was calculated to inspire. when
my attention was aroused by faint, distant cry,
coming as it seemed, from the depth Of the forest
| listened intenily for few minutes aud present.
y prolonged howl, still faint IN the distance fol-
lowed. The attention OF my horse was evidently
attracted By it, for he prcked up his ana gave
a low snort
Finding after listening a while, that the cry
was not repeated, gave no heed 10 the clrcum-
stance, presuming it to be some rowing wild crea.
ture in the woods. Presently, however, the CRY
was repeated, and an answering cry appeared in
another direction each Of them apparently nearer
than the one that attracted my attention first. My
horse now began TO show evident signs Of uneasi-
ness, pricking up his ears and tossing his head
wildly from side to side, snorting occasionally and
quickening his pace. Again came that howl, still
more distinct and this time il was repeated in diff.
ierent quarters, principally in my rear Turning
in my saddle, saw in the road behind me what ap-
peared to be dark speck. AT first concluded it
the shadow OF the branch Of but present.
liz detected two three others which seemed 10
spring directly from the wood. Could they be
wolyesl Had the man then not deceived me in
regard to their attack on a traveller feeling OF
alarm began to creep over me, which was soon
painfully increased, and all my doubts dissolved By
fierce yell, which rose in my rear as if the whole
pack had opened upon
"As those unearthy Wells sweed on the night
air, and echoed through the forest, my poor beast
shook in every limb, and cold shudder ran
through my frame. put spurs 10 my horse. which
bounded onward at the utmost stretch of bis
speed.
Casting hurried glance behind, the whole
road seemed filled with the troop Of demons whose
ferocious bowls sweed louder and louder every mo,
ment To my dismay the distance between US was
considerably lessened What would I not have
given at that moment 10 have been safely back ia
the cabin again
"Vainly did depore my folly IN giving no heed
TO the warning had received As yell after vel
pealed upon my ears, every moment drawing nearer
and nearer, horror for while overpowered me, anC
did nothing but plunge The spurs into the painting
| sides Of my horse mady shouting to urge him for
/ ward. The poor animal, nearly knocked up by ,
long days journey, dashed on at the top Of hi,
/ speed, hinging the ffoth from his mouth, while BIZ
neck and TANKS we're covered with foam and ever
at The tremendous rate he was going at every fresf
veil of the 6ends could feel him tremble in ever
limp. All, sir, that was an agonizing moment 1,
me Collecting my senses, calculated the dis
lance before aud the possibility of outrding MI
! pursuers. There was some four miles before, anc
I II my faded horse could but hold OUTPUT that
felt II would be impossible. His violent painting an,
dropping head, too plainly told me that he was near
| ly used up.
II could now hear the rush Of the feroeiou
troop behind the, and at times imagined | coul,
feel their foul breath behind me- What harrowin,
thoughts flashed through my brain | recalled
many instances had read Of travellers similar
situated, and of the vain efforts they had made 4
avert their terrible fate. tried to disenpare M
saddle.bags, in the hope that they might for a mo
ment check pursuit by directing the attention O
the wolves but was unable to do So | threw IN
cap in the road for the same purpose, but an angr
grow almost at the heels Of my horse, told that
had avaied nothing
81 now bethought myself Of my pistols HastiI
cooking one, turned and deliberately fired at
large black wolf which was within few feet of me
| kept my eyes in the direction after the discharge
Thank God, the shot took effect, and the neares
animal dropped dead in the road In a momen
the whole pack was upon him-the entire pat
behind me was piled up with stack Of wolve,
each one striving TO gorge himself on the falle