Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-05-20
From Bioek,rood's Magazine.
Passage in the Life Of Maitre d'irms


thas been about II O'Clock at night when long
howl was heard, which sounded so close and start
ling that with one accord we suspended our work
At the same moment. old George, who was on seu-
try, called to us. We ran TO the wagons and Jump.
ed on them. A dozen wolves we're proving
around about the outside edge OF the bright circle
thrown by our lanterns Fear Of the light kept
them Off bnt each moment they were growing
holder, and il was easy to see that tiey would not
be long without attacking u.s.
looked to the printing Of my carbine and pis-
tols Ivan was similarly armed but the carriers
had only their pixies, hatchets and knives With
these weapons however they boldly waited the at.
tack
Half an hour passed ia this state Of suspense, the
wolves occasionally advancing pace or two into
the circle of light, but at length reireaing again
Al length one of them approached near that
asked George If il would be advisable to reward his
temerily with bullet.
Yes was the answer. If you are certain of hit
ting him.
Why must be certain
Because, if you kill him, his companions will
amuse themselves with eating him 10 be sure adj.
ded he TO himself IL they taste blood they will
be mad for more
The mark is so good. said 1. Il can hardly miss
him.
Fire, then, in Gods name returned George;
all this must end one way or The other
Before the words were out Of his mouth | fred
and the wolf wrihed in agony on the snow. Ia an
instant half dozen wolves daTied forward and seix.
ed their comrade, and carried him of in the dark.
ness. ia
The bowling now increased, and il was evident
more wolves were arriving. At length there was
a moments silence
DO you hear the horses, said George, how
they neigh and paw Ii is signal for us TO be
prepared
4 thought the wolves were gone, replied I, they
have le0 of bowling.
mo, they have finished their repast and are pre-.
pairing for an attack. Here they come
AT that moment eight or ten wolves, that in the
imperfect Pickering light looked as big as ackasses,
rushed forward. and instead Of endeayoring to pass
under the wagons, bounded boldly upon them. By
some chance, however, none OF them attacked the
wagon on which was posted
| The cart on my right, defended by George, was
escaladed by three wolves, one OF which was imme.
diaiely disabled by thrust Of the vigorous old
mans pike. ball from my carbine settled another,
aud seeing Georges Ratchet raised over the head
of third, knew he wanted no further aid and
looked to see what was going on At my left. The
wolves had attacked the wagon which was defended
by one of Georges sons, who received the first of
his foes with lance thrust But apparently no
vital part touched, and the wolf had broken the
pike with his teeth so that for moment, the man
opposed TO him had nothing but pole wherewiih TO
defend himself The second wolf was scrambIing
along the cart aud was on the point of attacking
him, when ! sprang from one wagon 10 the other
and fred of one of 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 broken lance from his wound. " tiaa.
4 Meantime Ivan was hard al work. and heard
carbine aud two pistol shots which told me that
our adversaries as.warmy received on the left
as on the right of the line. Aninsiant later four
wolves again crossed the circle Of light but this
time in full retreat and at the same moment 10
our no small establishment, three others, that we
had thought dead or MORALLY wounded. raised
themselves up aud followed their companions, leav-
ing large tracks Of blood behind them Three car.
cases remained upon the field of battle
Load again, and quickly cried George Il
know their ways; they will be back again directly
4 And the old man pointed with his fuper into the
darkness. listened, end heard distant howlings
4 replying 10 the near ones. What we had yet had
was mere skirmish, The general engagement
was 10 come S. s..,,a.. rs. -. - s.'ff
Look behind you cried voice / turned and
saw two fiery eyes cleaning on the top Of the snow
walls in, our rear. Before could draw a trigger
the wolf gave leap, and falling upon one of the
horses struck his fangs into his throat Three men
left their wagons nn af.f 5ls.i.a
There is but one wolf cried George, and one
man is enough Let the others remain at Their
posts 7 '- 's' i'1i' 3 a
I. Two ofthe men resumed their places The third
crept upon his hands and knees among the horses
who IN their terror, were kicking aud plunging vi
olen,ly, and throwing themselves against the carts
BY which they were surrounded. The next instant
| saw the CLEAN OF knife blade, aud the wolf lei
go the horse, which reared upon his hind legs the
blood streaming from his throat. A dark mass roll
ing and struggling on the ground--t was the mar
and wolf f.ip ilss'ata
6 At the end of few seconds the man stood up
David, said he to one of his comrades, come ane