Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-11

Ueen oppressive, now OeCafne absolutely
sufocating. The noise was INTERNAL
Cracking reeds, Kissing damp bushes, fla
ming grass, black vapor that choked and
blackened, was all that they could distin-
guish, with sense of intense heat, and then
black plain covered with charred wood,
with smouldering heaps Of charcoal, lay be-
fore them. They had passed with the least
possible amount of injury. A few burns, a
scorching sense of thirst, faces as black as
negroes, were all that had ensued from their
desperate and daring act. Snow pressed
the hand of Mary in silence, and then ex-
amned the horses. They were irreparably
lost. Theit legs had suffered burns, which
would render much farther journey impos-
sible but they were compelled, despite
their frightfhl state, to urge them on again
at their fullest speed;
A howl, that Snow knew too well, warn
ed him of a new danger The savage
wolves of the mountains were upon them
in vast droves. These animals follow prai-
rie fires in search of the .carcasSes of deer,
turkeys, rabbits; hares, &c. that perish in
the flames and, collected in such force,
become formidable. The wretched horses
instinctively darted away, and the fugitive
band made for wood about Ave miles off,
which had been spared by the fire, the grass
near the trees being too damp and too short
to burn. AS they rode, they loosened rifles
and pistols, and took their huge powder
horns from the many swathes which had
protected them. Several times they halted
and fired at the furious beasts, which, to the
number of about four hundred came on be-
hind them. Their shots told, and general
halt showed that the caiote were engaged
in devouring their unlucky companions
AT length the wood was reached and
while by general discharge, they for an
instant checked the advance of the hungry
brutes, Mary climbed tree, took up the
arms, provisions, and other traps, and was
then followed by the weary men. The
horses galloped away, and became instantly
prey to the savage white wolves.
1t required an hour of absolute repoSe to
enable the fugtives to talk over their posi-
ton. They then ate and drank, and
smoked in silence for half an hour, when
all were sufficiently recovered TO hold a
council. The wolves were bowling around
the tree, which was lofty and thick, and
seemed determined not TO abandon their
prey. But the backwood trio laughed at
| them. Their chief concern was the loss of
their poor horses and the prospect of a
tramp home. They were now pretty se-
cure from the Indians, who must believe
them to have perished in the flames, and
who would choose a road removed from
the track of the conhagration.
They spoke some time in low tone,
until the bowling Of the wolves became in
tolerable, and Captain Snow and young
Rock resolved to rid themselves of the nui-
sance. They descended to the lowest
branches of the tree, and looked down. A
fearful yell from hundred throats greeted
them; and the aspect Of the long, hanging
tongues, fierce eyes, and savage teeth of so
many animals would have terrified any but
men Injured to dangers and hardshlps. a
quick volley from their revolving tve-bar-
relied pistols drove the iackals back an in
slant. Snow was perched over large pile
oi leaves driven together by the wind. On
this he rapidly empted n good handful OF
powder. With handful of Spanish moss
from the tree, and the lighted tobacco from
his pipe fame was produced, and the burn
ing moss dropped as the wolves returned 10
the charge. The animals retreated with
terrific yells, as the leaves took fire, and the
gunpowder flashed, and then. kept a re-
spectlul distance. Young Rock leaped
down, flung some wood on the fire, and,
Joined by his party, soon had fiery ram
part round the tree. Within this they rest
ed, and dressed their wounds, or rather
burns.
The next day, after sixteen hours Of re-
pose, the whole party started on foot. The
wolves, which only collect in dangerous
numbers on rare occasions, lad dispersed
over the black and smouldering plain
Weary and tiresofne was the journey
through the forest, through swamp, along
dreary and interminable plains, with a
heavy rife on the shoulders. They rarely
fired shot, eating sparingly, and at long
intervals, for the crack Of firearms had now
become dangerous.
Ten days they iramped alons, and on the
morning of the eleventh they were within q
mile Of the dwelling Of Captain Snow. Two
or three smart reports Of guns made them
prick up their ears, quickly followed as they
were by the duller report of Indian fusils.-
The trio plunged into the thicket, loosenec
their rifles, and advanced, Ten minutes
brought them TO the skirt of The wood. The
buildings of Snowville were little more thar
a hundred yards distant The Indians lay
about fifty yards to their left, behind The
wagon and corn-salk frame. Quick q,
thought Snow and his companions fired, anC
then, with loud yell, rushed across. Taker
in flank, the savages sought the cover of thu
wood and made no effort TO prevent the juno
tion Of the whites. Snow found thai hi
house had been blockaded two days by lh'
Indians, but that his assistant and The fou
negro slaves had made a very spirited de
fence. Mary was alarmed about her parents
but during the day any movement was i'm
possible, They accordingly rested unit
night, making meanwhile every preparation
for further resistance and darkness once So