Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-09-30
IFrom Chamber Journal. !
WOLF-CHILDREN.

| ne QlSIrlCl Oh OultdiipOOts ~ thO Mn
dom Of Dude. portion of the great
plain of the Ganges, is watered by the
Goomiee River, a navigable stream,
about one hundred and forty yards
broad, the banks of which are much in
tested by wolves. These animals are
protected by the superstition Of the Hin
doos, and to such an extent, that VIII
lage community within whose bounda-
ries a single drop of their blood has
been shed, is believed TO be doomed 10
destruction. The wolf is safe-but from
very different reason-even from
those vagrant tribes who have no per-
manent abiding place, but bivouac in the
jungle, and feed upon jackals, reptiles
anything, and who make a trade of
catching and selling such wild animals
as they consider too valuable TO eat
The reason why the vupine ravager is
spared by these wretches is-fhdt
tcOIues deroHr children! Not, howev-
er, that the wanderers have any dislike
to children, but they are tempted by the
jewels with which they are adorned;
and, knowing the dens of the animals,
they make this fearful god seeking
part of their business. The adornment
of their persons with jewelry is a pas
sion with the Hindoos which nothing
can overcome. Vast numbers of wo-
men--even those OF the most infamous
class-are murdered for the sake of
their ornaments, vet the lesson is lost
upon the survivors. Vast numbers of
children, too, fall victims in the same
way, and from the same cause, or are
permitted, by those who shrink from
murder, 10 be carried off and devourec
by the wolves; yet no Indian mother
can Withstand the temptation TO bedizen
her child, whenever it is in her power,
with bracelets. necklaces, and other or
naments of gold and silver. So much
is necessary as an introduction to the
incidents that follow.
One day, a trooper, like Sponsors
gentle knight, "was pricking on the
plain," near the banks of the Goomtee.
He was within short distance of Chan
dour, village about ten miles from
Sutanpoor, the capital of the district,
when he halted TO observe large fe-
male wolf and her whelps come out Of a
wood near the roadside, and 60 down 10
the river to drink. There were four
whelps. Fourl-surely not more than
three; for the fourth of the juvenile COM
pany was as little like a wolf as possi-
Bile. The horseman stared; for in fact
il was boy, going on all-fours like his
comrades, evidently on excellent terms
with them all, and guarded, as well as
the rest. by the dam with the same jeal-
GUS care which that exemplary mother,
but unpleasant neighbor, bestows upon
her progeny. The trooper sat still in
his saddle watching this curious compa-
ny IiIl they had satisfied their thirst; but
as soon as they commenced their re-
turn, he put spurs TO his horse, TO inter-
cept the boy. Off ran the wolves. and
off ran the boy heller skelter-the latter
keeping close up with the dam; and the
horseman, owing TO the unevenness Of
the ground, found it impossible 10 over
take them before they had all entered
their den. He was determined, never
theless, to attain his object, and, assem-
bling some people from the neighboring
village with pickaxes, they began to dig
in the usual way into the hole. Having
made an excavation of six or eight feet.
the garrison evacuated the place-the
wolf, the three whelps, and the boy,
leaping suddenly out and taking TO
fight. The trooper Instantly threw him.
Sc upon his horse, and set off in pur
suit followed by the leetest of the par
ty; and the ground over which they had
to fly being this time more even. he at
length headed the chase, and turned the
whole back upon the men on foot
These secured the boy, and, according
to prescriptive rule, allowed the wolf
and her three whelps 10 go on their way
"They took the boy to the village, "
saws Col. Sleeman, "but had to lie him,
for he was very restive, and struggled
hard TO rush into every hole or den they
came near. They tried to make him
speak, but could get nothing from him
but an angry growl or snarl. He was
kept for several days at the village, and
a large crowd assembled every day to
see him. When a grown-up person
came near him, he became alarmed, and
tried to steal away; but when a child
came near him, he rushed at it with a
fierce snarl, like that oI dog, and tried
to bite it. When any cooked meat was
put near him, he rejected it in disgust
|, but when raw meat was offered, be
seized it with avidity, put it upon the
ground, under his hands, like dog. anC
ate il with evident pleasure. He woulC
not let any one come near while he wa
eating, but he made no objection to ,
dogs coming and sharing his food will
him."
This wild boy was sent TO Captain
NichoIetts, the European officer com
manding the 1st regiment of Dude Lo
} cal Infantry. stationed at Sullnnpoor.--
E He lived only three years after his cap
] ture, and died in August, 1850. Accor
e ding 10 Captain Nicholetts' account Q
!, him, he was very inoffensive, excep
!. when teased. and would then growl an
snarl. He came to eat anything tha
was thrown him, although mach prefer
= ring raw flesh. He was very fond {
- uncootad honas rnoSt;oa.;rcr .L.. -