Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-06-16
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1t was about eleven o'clock at night, when a
long howl was heard, which sounded so close
and startling, that we with one accord suspend.
cd our work. At the same moment, old George,
who was the sentry, called to us. A dozen
enormous wolves were providing about the out.
side edge of the right circle thrown by our lam
terms. Fear of the light kept them off; but each
moment they were growing holder, and il was
easy to see that they would not be long without
I looked to the printing Of my caroline and
pistols Ivan was similarly armed but the
carriers had only their pixies, hatchets, and
knives. With these weapons, hewever, they
boldly awaited the attack.
Half an hour passed in this state of suspense,
the wolves occasionally advancing a pace or
two into the circle of light, but always retreat
ing again. At length one of them approached
so near, that | asked George if it would not
be advisable to reward his temerlty with a bull
let.
Yes was the answer; if you are certain of
hitting him.
Why must I be certain?
Because, if you kill him his companions will
amuse themselves with eating him. To be
sure,' added he to himself, 'if they once taste
blood they will be mac for more
The mark is SO good said !, 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 writhed in agony on the snow.
In an instant half a dozen wolves darted for
ward, and seizing their comrade, carried him off
in the darkness.
The bowling now increased, and it was evi.
dent more wolves were arriving. At length
there was a moments silence.
DO you hear the horses?' said George how
they neigh and paw! It's a signal fol us to be
prepared
Il thought the wolves were gone,' replied l
sthey have left off howling.'
mo; they have finished their repast, and are
preparing for an attack. Here they Gomez
At that moment, eight or ten wolves, that, in
the imperfect, Pickering light, looked as big as
iackasses, rushed forward, and, instead of en-.
deavoring tn 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 escaled by three wolves, one of which wa
Immediately disabled by "a thrust of the vigorous
old mans pike. A bali from my carbine settle'
another; and seeing Georges Ratchet raise'
over the head of a third, | knew he wanted II,
TURNER alu, ana looked 10 see what was g0lnl
on at my left. Two wolves had attacked tn,
wagon which was defended by one of George
sons, who received the first Of his foes with
, lance thrust. but apparently no vital part wa
touched, and the wolf had broken the pike witt
his teeth so that for a moment the man oppose,
to him had nothing but a pole wherewith to de
fend himself. The second wolf was scramblinI
along the cart, and was on the point Of attack
ing him, when ! sprung from one wagon to tn
. other, and fred one of my pistols into the ami
mails ear. He fell dead by the side of his com
panion, who was rolling in the snow and maxim
violent efforts to tear the broken lance from hi
wound.
Meantime, Ivan was hard at work, and ! hear
a carbine or two pistol shots, which told m
that our adversaries were as warmly receive
on the left as on the right of the line. An il
slant later, four wolves again crossed the circl
of light, but this time in full retreat; and at I'll
same moment, to our no small astonishmen
three others, that we had thought dead or mo
tally wounded, raised themselves up and follow
ed their companions, leaving large tracks
blood behind them. Three carcasses RENAME
> upon the field of battle.
Load again, and quickly cried George.
know their ways; they will DO back again 4
. rectly.' And the old man pointed with his Fl
ger into the darkness. listened and heard di
ltant howlings replying to the nearer ones.
'what we had as yet had was . mere sk