Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-10-12

ly spent, his breathing became rapid, and his head
dropped. Yet he still made a wondrous effort to
gain the woods for, with the instinct of his kind,
he seemed to think that safety would be found a.
mong the trees.
AT length the wood was gained. Ferguson
gave Joyous shout, for now he could take refuge
in a tree. Tying his horse to a lower branch, our
hero quickly climbed one, and loaded his carbine
and pistols with faint hope Of defending his no
bic horse from wolves attack.
From the lofty branch on which he had taken
up his position, Ferguson watched the monsters
approach they were of the fercest species, white
with glowing red eyes; and he saw that all was
over with his faithful horse They rushed on
their victim-he fred among them but in a mo-
ment the animal was devoured, and the empty
bride left hanging on the branch.
The wolves, with gaping threats, and their
white tusks grinning horribly, remained round the
tree; for the horse had scarcely furnished each
with a single mouthful. On the Captains slight
est movement they jumped up, as if to seize him
before he could touch the ground. lie enjoyed a
sort of feverish pleasure in killing number OF
them with his carbine. But night was closing in
and, quite exhausted, unable even to reload his
arms, he was seized with sudden giddiness, and
was forced to close his eyes, lest he should iaI
from his green fortress.
Then deep roaring was heard in the neighDor'
ing prairie. At the sound, the wolves prlcked III
their ears, and darted off simultaneously IN pur
suit of new prey. In short time Ferguson
opened his eyes, and deserted in the plain on tho
border of the wood, an enormous buffalo, sur
| rounded by the ravenous wolves who were tear
ing him to pieces, despite his furious efforts to es
cape.
The Captain, profting by this fortunate diver
sion descended from his tree and fastened to kindI
the dried branches scattered on the ground. liz
shortly succeeded in surrounding himself with
! a rampant OF fire.
Feeling then comparative safety, he roasted
and ate small portion of one of the dead wolves
Notwithstanding the natural repugnancc inspire,
by such unclean food. Being somewhat strength
ened by his strange rcpast, he collected suppl.
of wood for the night.
In about an hour afterwards the wolves return
ed to the charge, but Ferguson, thanks TO his fam
ing fertilization, was in such perfect safety tina
despite their continued bowling, he soon fell las
asleep.
On awakng, he found it was daylight, and til
wolves had gone, in pursuit, doubtless OF som
easier prey and the Captain was able to resum
his Journey on foot, carrying with him his pistol
cutlass, and carbine.
, After a week of incredible fatigue and privatio
he arrived in safety at the American camp; bl
no tidings were ever heard of his untortuna
companions. They probably had either been ma
sacred by the Indians, or devoured by wolves
Captain Ferguson was seized with fever whlc
! confined him to his bed for several weeks. Whe
! convalescent he happened one day to look IN
mirror, and started back affrighted. His beai
remained black, but the hair of his head had b
: come white as'snow.