The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-12-30
Luke Blair's Encounter with a Pack
OF Wolves.

"God have mercy upon u.s." This eHela.
nation was not more sudden than slarllingly
uttered, and sent the ehills creeping from the
lcaping heart in preking sensations over the
skin.
II was the first time had ever noticed
such a ,rcmor in the old squatters tones, or
"A manner which indicated that he ever felt
fear. Il was something unusual, and While
my own pulGr quic.cned. l watched the old
man by the din light Of the fire.
had known Luke Bair--"Od Luke" he
Was called--!or ten years, and yet knew moth
fig Of his history. There ~as a mystery
about him which none ever penetrated, and
an eccentriciY Of manner which gave his
movements peculiar mtcrcat TO his rough
but true-hcartcd comrades lie spent hia life
in the woods, and ncCer brought in anything
but wolves scolps. There was a fierce burn
ing look in his eye as he flung them upon the
ground, and he would ait for hours after one
Of his excursions with his head bowed be
tween his hands.
As uusocial was the squattcr, he was re-
,pcotcd by all who came in contact with him.
lie was brave to madness, yet as cool IA G'n-
ger as ia camp. Nor, was there anything
rough ,n his manner; or the contrary, there
was an easy bearing, vhich--almos, elegance
--bcspokc day Of education and refine
mcnt. And when he aid speak his language
was well chosen.
Blair had other qualifications which won
,hc respect of the hardy spirits around him.
lie was six feet in hight. broad shoaldercd
tAi-chcsled, and form erect, and his limbs
we're models Of symmetry and strength hair
and beard had grown uushorn since We had
Known him, and we're thickly sprinkled with
gray r-~I}ut the forehead, though darkb
hrouzcd and deeply scanned, was almost mas
siyc, aud the head Of hulli,A mold. The
eye was dark, luslrous, and, IN excitement,of
pcCuitdT 6nd Hscin0Ting power. Around H.
neck was some sacred token, which no eye
had SEEM and which he guarded with jealous
care,
There was something about the old man
his commanding presence his bravery, aud
his lonely hobi,s rul sld manner--which won
my Young he.rt, aud watched every oppor.
tuuity of maniiesliog my regard. had en-
gagged him to guide me to the Mississippi, by
way Of - Prairie.
For several days we threaded the dense
forests which interviewed, and under great diff
fculics. The snow had fallen to an unusual
depth, the cold was intense, and rendered
more intolerable by the fierce wind from the
prairie waste. We were warmly dressed, but
there were times WSSSh the weary frame bvf
gan to feel the dreamy influence Of the sleep
which steals so fatally oytt the senses.
On the night in question We had '1rned
aside . -,,k the shelter Of grove OF small
timber, and to find fuel for our fire. We had
faced the binding storm all day. and. could
hardly keep sufficiently awake to kindle the
lire and secure wood for the night We had
Just accomplished this when the hunter made
the exclamation at the head Of our story.
was awake at once. and the blood tinged
through my chilled veins, for l knew that
Like Blair would not speak without cause.
,s'Hsrk Pr
The word was but whisper, but had a
terrible diSinctness His hand had involun-
tariy sought bis rifle, and his head turned
towards the woods. heard nothing but the
Wild ropr Of the storm as it swept by.
There tis again The devils are on our
track % and he clutched his knife handle
with q steady grasp, and brretbed hardly be-
tween his Thin nostrls.
heard u5e noise this time ~ni~h had at.
,,ae,.d h,s attention before, prTeiilas, ss 'ie
slorm lulled Au instant, into q Wild. protfset-
Cd hopl.as from thousapd iamished throat
o.rar. dismul. and vaii,ng With that irariai
tone which ttartles the bpldest even st tbs