The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1856-02-21
d WOLF STORY,

i can tell you a story.
when l first came TO the cabin, there
was no clearing within thirty miles, and
the only neighbor had was George b,
who died last year, up by the cedar hill,
ten miles or SO away. Il was little
lonesome, and yet liked it for year,
and saw George three times during that
twelvemonlh. But the next six months |
never saw q man. and used to sit and
look at myself in the still waters over tn"
side ofrny canoe, and like it, for itseemod
as if | had company. But one day in
November, | was tired out from being
alone, and started out in the evening 10
60 up to Georges. crossed the river
just here, and went along up the edge Of
the water, swinging my rifle in my hand.
whislIing for company's sake, for it made
pleasant echo in The woods, The night
was cooish, very clear, and there was 4
pleasant moon. Just as l reached the
Rock brook, close on the side Of pond,
heard growl that started me, and stop
/ ping short, l saw wolf standing with
his paw buried in the carcass OF deer,
while his jaws were full OF the flesh. But
he was not eating, for he had seen me,
and seemed to be discussing the comPar.
alive merits of his meal before him, and
the possible meal which | presented for
him. He wasn't any of your dog wolves,
but grizzly rascal, large as Leo yonder,
with long hair and stout legs. lie snarl-
ed once or twice more, ami | was fool
enough 20 show fight. III had let him
alone, he would have been content with
hisfeed; for they are cowardly animals,
except when there are droves OF them, or
unless you disturb their eating. | took a
short aim at him, and shot. lie jumped
the instant | pulled the trigger, and |
missed his breast and broke his fore
paw, Then he yelled and came at me,
and heard, as ! thought, fifty more an
swer him.
1T wasn't ten seconds before was in
the crotch Of the nearest tree, and four Of
the grizzly scoundrels were undert. look.
ing at me, whining and licking their lips
as iftheir mouths watered for me. | did
not understand their language, or would
have suggested the idea of satisfying their
appetites on the deer which lay few rods
on. But couldn't persuade them TO take
any hint Of thai sort, and so l loaded my
rifle and shot one of them dead as the
deer. There was more for them TO eat,
ifihey had chose 10 devour their own sort,
but couldn't blame them for refusing
the thin, bony carcass of such comrade.
especially when tolerably well fattened
man was in a small sapling close by. and
the more especially when, if they could
see that the saping was splitting in two
at the crotch, and | must soon come, in
spite of my repugnance to a closer &C.
quaintance with them. So il was, though,
and before | had time 10 reload nv rife
and dispatch another Of them, crack went
the tree, and dropped my rifle just quick
enough to catch mysefwith arms and legs
around tbs tree and hold on for life, ill |
could get out my knife from my pocket,
open it, and shove it in my belt That
done, | watched my chance, and if ever
there was a scared wolf that was one
when | Lighted nhis back and wound my
arms around him. and we rolled away
together. The other two didn't under
stand it at all, and backed off 10 watch
the fght-a moonlight tussel that was.
At length the wolfgot me under, and he
and both thought was done for. He
planted his two paws on my breast, and
the claws left the marks, that are there yet,
while he seized my shoulder with his vii.
famous jaws
Black paused to show us The scars on
his breast and arms, particularly the large
scar where the flesh was torn from the
bone on his shoulder. lie continued:
/ was little faint when his teeth went
in. 1t was unpleasant, and had time
to think OF a dozen ways Of dying, any
one Of which would have preferred to
thai, had choice been possible. The
wolf apparently, didn't like the hold he
had, for he tore out his teeth, and tore
out my coat, shirt and flesh, too, and
seized again on my fur cap. 1t was
lucky mistake for me. felt his wet lips
on my forehead, and had just time to let
90 my hold of his throat and clutch my
knife. when he shook off the cap and
made another attempt to get a mouthlul,
but his throat was in no fix to swallow it,
for my knife-blade was working desper.
ately across his jug ular vein, and the
point Of it was feeling between the verte