The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-05
For the Girls and Boys.
Passage in the Life of Maitre
D'Armes,

them. A dozen enormous wolves were
prowling about the outside edge of the bright
circle thrown by our lanterns. Fear of the
light kept them of; but it was ensy TO see that
they would not be long without attacking us.
looked to the printing ofmy carbine and
pistols. Ivan was similarly urnled; but the
carriers had only their pixies, hatchets and
knives. With these weapons, however, they
boldly awaited the attack.
Eiuifan hour passed in this stnte of sus-
pense, the wolves occasionally advancing a
pace or two into the circle of light, but at
length retreatng again. At length one Of
them approached so near that asked George
iii would not he advisable to reward his te-
'inerity with n bullet.
Yes was the answer, 'ifyou are certain of
hitting him.
why must be certain?'
'Because, ifyou kill him, his companions
will amuse themselves with eating him TO be
sure added he TO himself if once they taste
blood they will be mad for more
The mark is so good, said |, Il can hardly
miss him
Fire, then, in Gods nume!' returned
George; all this must end one way or the 9TH
err
Before the words were out of his mouth
fired, and the wolf writhed in agony on the
snow. In an instant hafa dozen wolves dart
him off in the darkness.
The bowling now increased, and it was
evident more wolves were arriving. AZ
Aength there was moments silence.
'Do you hear the horses said George, how
lhey neigh and paw? 1t is n signal for us TO
3,e prepared
Thought the wolves were gone replied l.
they have left off bowling
NO, they have finished their repast, and
are preparing for an attack, Here they
come
At that moment eight or ten wolves that
in the imperfect flicker light looked as big as
jnckRsSes rushed forward, and instead of en-
deavoring to pass under the wagons, bounded
BOLDLY upon them. by some chance howev-
or, none of them attacked the wagon on
which was posted
The cart on my right, defended by George,
was escalladed by three wolves, one of which
was Immediately disabled by thrust of the
vigorous old mans pike. A ball from my
carhine settled another, and seeing Georges
ilntchet raised over the head OF the third
knew he wanted no further aid, and looked
TO see what was going on to my left Two
wolves had attacked the wagon which was
defended by one of Georges sons, who re-
x.eived the first ofhis foes with lance thrust.
But apparently no vital part was touched,n and
The wolf had broken the pike with his teeth;
so that for a moment, the man opposed to
him had nothing hut pole wherewith TO de-
fend himself The second wolfwas scranb-
ling along the cart, and was on the point of
attacking him, when lsprang from one wag
on to the other, and fred off my pistols into
the animals ear. He fell dead by the side of
his companion. who was rolling in the snow
and making violent efforts TO tear the brok ell
lance from his wound.
Meantime Ivan was hard at work, and
heard n carbine or two pistol Shots which
IoId me that our advcrsarics were as warmly
received on the left as on the right of the
line. An instant later, four wolves again
crossed The circle oflight, hut this time in full
retreat & at the same moment.to our no small
aStonishmcnt,t three Others, we thought dead or
nortally wounded, raised themselves up and
followed their companions, leaving large
tracks of blood behind them. Three carcnsS-
ves remained upon the field of battle.
Load again, and quickly cried George
ii know their ways; they will I've back again
directly And the old man pointed with his
finger into the darkness. | listened, and
heard distant howlings replying to the nearer
ones. What we had was n mere skirinsh.-
The general engagement was 10 come.
Look behind you! behind youl'cried n voice.
turned and saw two fiery eyes cleaning Oh
the top ofthe snow walk in our rear. Before
cOuld draw the trigger the wolfgave leap
and falling upon one ofthe horses struck his
fangs into his throat Three men left their
wagons
There is but one wolf cried George, and
one man is enough. Let the others remain
at their posts!
Two of the men resumed their places
The third crept upon his hands and knees a
Inong the horses, who, in their terror, were
Kicking and plunging violently and throw
ing themselves against the carts hy which
they were surrounded The next Instant | saw
go the horse,which reared upon his hind legs,
the blood streaming fro,u his throat. A dark
mass YVES rolling and struggling OH the ground
it was the man and wolf
At the end ola few seconds the man stood
up. David said he to one ofllis comrades,
>come and help me carry away this CARROT.
The horses won't be quiet while it lies here
They dragged the wolf towards Georges
wagon, and then raising il up from the ground
She old man took it by the hind legs, as tho
1t had been hare, and threw it outside the
line of carts.
well, Nicholas, said George, 10 the sue
cessfuI combatant, 'dou't you take your place
again"
No replied the other, 4 have enough as it
ISL
Are you woundedr cried Louise, opening
she door of the teegue'
4 believe have killed my last wolff an
.-swered the poor fellow ia a faint voice
gave George my carbiue and has,eued to
che wounded :s,an. A part of his Jaw was
torn away and the blood flowed abundantly
from large wound ia the neck. feared
a nsment that tue carotid artery was opened
aud scarcely knowing whether did right OF
wrong, seized handful ofsnow ard ap-