Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-31
JAN U UARY 81, 1856.

There we kinded roaring fire of pine knots ;
but We had grown very hungry, and I soon
found that Of the provisions had brought, and
upon which had already dined, there remained
but scanty fragment for supper. This did not
trouble my companion, who skinned several of
the rats give them slight warming over the
fire, and then ate them up with as much gout as
if they had been partridges. I was hungry,
but not hungry enough for that, 80 sat watch
ing him with some astonishment, and not with
out slight feeling of disgust.
1t was beautiful moonlight night, one of
the clearest ever remember. There was lit
tie snow upon the ground, just enough to cover
it; and up against the white side of the hills
could be traced the pyramidal outlines of the
pines, with their regular gradations of dark
needle-clothed branches. They rose on all sides
around the lake. looking like ships with farled
sails and yards square-set.
| | was in a reverie of admiration, when was
suddenly aroused by confused noise, that re-
sembled the bowling and bayng of hounds. l
turned an enquiring look upon my companion
'Wolves!' he replied, unconcernedly, chaw-
ing away at his roast rat
The bowling sounded nearer and nearer and
then there was q rattline among dead trees, and
quickly repeated "crunch, crunch, as Of the
hoofs of some animal breaking through frozen
snow. The next moment deer dashed past in
full run, and took to the ice. 1t was large
buck, Of the Caribou or reindeer species
(Cerrus tarandus) and could see that he was
smoking with heat, and almost run down.
He had hardly passed the spot, when the howl
again broke out in a continued strain, and q
string of forms appeared from out the branches.
They were about dozen in all 4; and they were
going at full speed like pack of hounds on
the view. Their long muzzes, erect ears. and
huge gaunt bodies, were ou timed plainly against
the snowy ground. saw that they were VOL
yes. They were white wolves, and of the lar
gest species.
l had suddenly sprang to my feet, not with
the intention Of saving the deer, but of assisting
in its capture; and for this purpose siezed the
spear, and run out. heard my companion, as
| thought, shouting some caution after me but
l was too instant upen the chase to pay any at
tention to what be said I had at the moment
q distinct perception of hunger, and an inds-
tinct idea of roasting venison for supper.
AS got down to the sh re, saw that the
wolves had overtaken the deer, and dragged il
down upon the ice The poor creature made
but poor running on the slippery track, sprawl
ing at every bound while the sharp claws o
its pursuwers enabled then to gallop over the ic
like cats. The deer had, no doubt mistakel
the ice for water. which these creatures very Of
ten do, and thus become an easy prey to wolves
dogs and hunters.
run on, thinking that would soon seattle
the wolves, and rob them of their prey. In
few moments was in their midst, brandishin,
my spear; but to my surprise, as well as terror
saw that, instead of relinquishing tho deer
several of them still held on it, while the res
surrounded me with open jaws, and eyes g lane
ing like Goals of fire.
shouted and fought desperately, thrustins
the spear first at one and then at another; bu
the wolves only became more bold and fierce
inccnsed by the wolves l was inaicting.
For several minutes continued this unex
pected conflict. l was growing quite excited
and sense of terrible dread coming over me
had almost paryilzed me, when the tall darl
form of the Indian, hurrying over the ice, CAV
me new courage and piled the spear with al
my remaining strength, until several of my as
sailants lay pierced upon the ice. The Others
now seeing the proximity of my companion
with his huge ice-chisel, and frightened, more
over, by his wild Indian yell, turned tail an
scampered off.
Three of them, however, had uttered thei
last howl, and the deer was found close by-al
ready half dcyourcd.
There was enough left, however, to make
good supper for both myself and my compan
ion; who, although he had already picked tn
bones of three muskrats, made fresh attac
upon the venison, eating of it as though he ha
not tasted food for a fortnight.