The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-09-21
From the Illustrated News.
MY FIRST WOLF ADVENTURE.
AN INCIDENT OF THE FAR WEST.
by MARSHALL Huxr1Narov.


Ever fond was of adventure, and hunt
ing was a Elyorite amusement. The fol-
lowing incident happened in the then terri
tory OF Iowa, some ten years ago. [ had
frequently been ''gaming" previous to this
but had never yentured far from home,
and the howl of the wolf l had seldom
heard. ..-". A
One day in November, 81, l rose ear
", and ShoulGering my gun, went in search
of game. L had wandered about some
time, butno gameappearcd; and, disappoin-
ted, commenced retracing my steps home
wards, when Il noble buck passed me at
his swiftest speed, Such game was not 10
be lost-and l started in pursuit, till getting
a view, | fired, but only succeeded in woun-
ding him. lie kept on, though at much
slower pace, and | followed5 the thought of
bringing home a nice haunch Of yenison,
gave d stimulus tom pursuit. Anon the
buck came to wideflnd deep ravine, which
afforded no chance of escape but by leap
ing The noble animal dill leap, but fell
short of the opposite side, and was mangled
ON the rocks below. -
It was now quite la,e, and being much
disappointed, and several miles from home,
| concluded to camp out for the night, and
try my htck again on the following day.
But had not made much progress, when
a long, loud, deep nowl reached my ears.
My blood almost troze in my veins, and II
sensation Of fear had never before expert
enccd came over me, as in that howl rec
ognMed that of the northern wolf
Many were the tales had read Of escap-
ing these monsters, by chasing them or
climbing tree; but | thought noe OF them;
all presence of mind was gone; and snatch
ing up my gun, / ran, knew not whittier
On came my pursucrs, and ever and anon
could that dismal howl of impatiencc bel
heard. But on | went; and it seemed as III
the fear of death had given me double swift
ness. ..H
| soon came to high fence, extending a.
bout ten rods, which soon climbed over,
A yeil--and such a yell may never hear
again--broke from the pack as they found
themselves thus momentarily checked; but
they immediately turned for the end of the
fence, and ere long | again heard them.--
The pat of their feet was distinct; and their
long, deep, heavy breathing was plainly
heard. Nature was failing; and l. knew
that | could not much longer endure. One
boider than the rest came very near me be-
ing only about twenty feet distant. l turn.
I'd quickly, raised my gun to fire but the
lint was gone! could run no more, and,
in agony Of dispar, cried 80, God! and
must | thus dio?"
"Guess not, stranger" said voice, and
ere had time to look whence it proceeded
four rifles rang loud and long upon my
ear. 'N a.Ea' r"th. aa
Turning to my deliverer, said--"You
have saved my life, sir. .is ls..a ..# q
"Rather guess l did," said he. "AIe
and my boys (and here he gave look of
pride) heard the critters, and just thought
as they were coming by here, we'd give
them some cold lead You'd have been
if it hadn't been for us" aw
Thanking my doliver,I soon found my
way home, about four miles. My adven-
ture soon became known all over our iittle
settlement, and 1t was sometime ere | vent
uYed from home again. The lesson taught |
me, that presence Of mind was indSpensi- |
bic to hunter, was not soon lost. had a
second adventure with wolves, and fully as
lemarkable an escape as the one just mem
toned, though in this case my escape was
owing to presence Of mind, and not to any
happy incident. / may sometime place it
before the readers Of the Illustrated Negs.