Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-08-05

he red squirrel f1.n ~ bithssl branch
Of the forest viii ~ bollsi. and anobe
shs iroPhiss q ny psoesss could produce
The skin Of : full gown psnlhsr. Thai h.l
ialIen.a victim 70 NJ TiIic.
Il was one cold morning IL January. g
daylight began 70 ,lrcst The east. sailed
%: With my rii's. resolved 10 punish some
81 the wolves d.. had disturbed ~ slun-
bsrs during the n;zbt eth lbsir kidsous
bovls AbeeRy 70 crusl(1 sulicieel
y 70 bear my wsssti. spread lie shining
surface over hill and valley, Upon ikis
crust few Cakes having fallen. rendered
the task 81 tracking an animal extremely
simple.
Finding the trail Of large gang Of
wolves. | followed itin souiheriy direc-
tioa for Two OF three miles; here single
track diverging from the route claimed
my attention. The foot prints were oil !
gigantic size. ands o. I wished 10 secure
the noblest prey, quickly resolved upon
following H. Tightening BY belt. and cd
justing my accoutremenisi Tor long chase.
| started of For two or three miles l
travelled rapidly and stealihily over hills
and frozen streams. through the thick IN
derbush and open woodland. Suddenly,
a. gained the brow Of hill Loo king into
az open valley. behsid an enormous
rolf. the object Of my pursuit. leisurely
climbing the assent on ihe opposite side
Of the valley, distant about three iourths
Of mile. Well knowing that my chase
would indeed be along one. II ! were dis
covered when 90 far out Of rifle shot, +
paused in my position. until the animal
should disappear beyond ne ridge. No
sooner bad il done thus than I resumed
my journey. with The intenlicn Of stealing
march into shooting cisisnce. Might
wind nov sprang up. which. curling the
Aeecy snow. rendered Il extremely diff
cult TO keep the trail. persevered. how.
ever, but TO crown my difficulties. ! had
scarcely reached the ridge where I las.
saw the wolf. when il commenced snow.
ing. The fakes fell 50 thick and fast that
| could see bu, . few yards ahead. Inow
gave up all hopes Of making q better &C.
qusinlancs Wiihthe fugitive, and kept on
my route only for the purpose Of finding
spot 10 encamp until the storm should
abste. Fortanaiely. | bad not procee ded
far before came 10 ledge Of rocks some
ten feet 10 height, the top Of which, shelly
ing over. presented a shelter bene ath free
from snow; aud Is the opening was
screened by aIthirk growth 81 young hem
lock. congratulated myself upon iinding
such comfortable qu,rsefs. Lsyine down
my rifle, seated myself upon bed Of
dry leaves, and commenced holding O.
council with my sell ssto, what was to be
done. My first conclusion vas that lit
Tie Ere would be sgreeebls. and fer The
purpose Of obtaining lew twigs where
with 10 kindle il, commenced rummae.
ing the cavity; a. the iarthersend was
somewhat dark. and myself perhaps q
lilie snowbiind. | hsd 10 erops my way
around. Suddenly my progress was AZ.
rested by . low, quick growl. which took
me 90 completely BY 1urrrise, that my
knees fairly .rsmbled with lear. Starting
back. bsheld. not more than Eve feet
from me. pair Of green Gerry balls. thai
seemed 10 sparkle IN their own light. Il
before | received 40 electric shock, was
now spell bound, sud before I could fairly
recover my iaculiies. felts rough. shag
gy substance pass my hand. heard bound,
and then beheld between me and my only
hope, my rife, the enormous creslurs /
had been seeking. Like me. owing 10
the inclsmency1of the weather. the ami
NAL had claimed the hospiisli,ies OF this
dwelling Of nature, and seemed 10 think
il made more for bis coavsnisncs ihsa
mine. for there be slood grinning horri.
bic defiance at the intruder. Indeed, il
seemed to b point Of honor with bis
Woltship not 10 give another inch. and
like prudent general. he was undoabt
eddy mediiating an attack upes some weak
point Of my line. ], on the other hsnd.
having recovered ny wits. md taken oul
my hunting knife. had resolved upon
stoFming bic enirsnchnsn.s. % : last dss-
pessts resort. Il 10 said that great otcs.
Sons produce great men. the truth Of
which l have not the least dsabt. for End
ing myself in such spIieht. md kn6aine
something must Be dons. sna 10 b web
doas 'twere web H. were done quickly.
commenced the action By 4 leini upon
The position Of tina enemy. Taking of
my thick besrskin cap. I discharged i
upon the iroat o! the hostile liDs. or more
explicitly. 10 the ysTy teeth shd eyes Of
the monster. fhS fesuii Of dis mansu-
yrs equslled ny iohdesi sniicipalions.-
The enemy. who. taking the advantage Of
surprise, had ihroHa As foree6 between
me and ny artillery. now concentrated
his whole energies upon ths innocent as
ssilant. With terrible erowis. snd 'seyes
ia iine phrenzy rolling" be commenced
The snnihilsliou Of ny poor cap. By this
unguarded movement bis hank became
exposed. and taking advantage Of the
occasion, gave The word to charge and
rush in The enemy, borne sbsck By the
fury Of the onset. received he blade Or
nv knife 10 the bait IN ihs shoulder. AZ
my blood uss nov up. and zone 81 bis
out. begsE 10 feel quite confdeni = 10
the result Of the coaiest- Ny adversary.
to0 late aware Of The error Be hsd con-
4milied By exposing Weak psina 81 snack.
nov made . desperaio effort % fsifieve
tho fortunes 81 he day /; cIosinr IL. -
soon nrds ne feel bic huge f.res meet
Ing ia ne csH 81 NJ Lar, iearinr 6ssh.
veins and mucIs before hen. i put !
siop 10 ihis game y giving him veil d.
recIed lnd powered blow n lhs neck.
and spr;1ei1r ooi q N Toach. AZ III,