Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-12-30
LUKE BLala'S ENCOUNTER WITH A PACK or
WOLVES.

God have mercy upon US {? This ex-
clsmation was not more sudden than
startliugly uttered, and sent the ehills
creeping from the leaping heart in prick
ing sensations over the skin.
1t was the first time had ever noticed
such tremor in the old squatter's tones,
or q manner which indicated that heever
felt fear. It was something unusual,
and with my own pulse quickened. I
watched the old man By the dim light
of the fire.
1 had known Luke Blair, Old Luke.
he was cslled-for ten years, and yet
knew nothing of his history. There was
a mystery about him which none ever
penetrated, and an eccentricity Of man.
ner which gave bis movements a peculiar
interest to his rough but true-hearted
comrades. He spent his time in the
woods, and never brought in anything
but wolves scalps. There was 8 fierce
burning look in his eye as he flung them
upon the ground, and be would sit for
hours after one of his excursions with
his head bowed between his hands.
As unsocial was the squatter, he was
respected by all who had come in con-
tact with him. He was brave to mad
ness, and yet as cool IN danger as in
camp. Nor was there anything rough
IN his manners; on the contrary. there
vas an easy bearing, which-almost
elegance-bespoke a day of education
and refinement. And when be did speak
his language was well chosen.
Blair had other qualifications which
won the respect of the hardy spirits
around him. He was six feet in hight
broad shouIdered. full-chested, and form
erect. and his limbs were models of sym
metry and strength hair and beard hat
grown unshorn since We had known him
and we're tbickly sprinkled with gray
Bot the forehead, though darkly bronzet
snd deeply scanned. was almost massive
and the head of faultless mold. Tn
eve was dark, lustrous, and. in excite
men,, peculiar and fascinating power
Around his neck was some sacred toker
which no eye had seen, and which b
guarded with a jealous care.
There was something about the Of
man--his commanding presence. hi
bravery, and his lonely habits and sa
nsnner-which won my young hear
and I watchedevery opportunity Of maj
ifesting my regard. I had engage
him to guide ne to the Mississippi.
gav Of - Prairie.
For several days we threaded Il
dense forests. which interviewed, and u
der great difficulties. The snow b
fallen to an unusual depth, the cold "
intense, and rendered more intolerab
BY the fierce wind from the prairie wast
We were warmly dressed, but there We
times when the weary frame began
feel the dreamy influence Of the sic
which steals so fatally over the senses.
On the night in question we had tur
ed aside 10 seek the shelter of a grove
small timber, and 10 fnd fuel for {
fire. We had faced the binding sto
all day, and could hardly keep sufhcie
ly awake to kindle the fire and secg
wood for toe night We had just
complished this when the hunter ma
the exclamation al the head Of our sto
/ was awake at once, and the bl,
,iaged through my chilled veins, 70
knew that Luke Blair would not sp'
without cause
Hark !?
The word was but q whisper, but
q terrible distinctness. His hand
involuntariIy sought his rife, and
head turned towards the woods. he
nothing but the wild roar Of the stc
as Il swept BY.
There It's again. The devils are
or track and he cIutched his K
handle with a steady grasp, and bre
sd hardly between his thin nostrils.
heard the noise this time, which
attracted bis attention before, swell
IS the storm lulled an instant, in
wild, protracted howl, as from thou;
famished throats, clear, dismal, and v
ing With that fearful tone which sta
the boldest, even at the fresides. I
turned, and as our eyes met he 81,
whispered.
A pack Of hungry wolves :
have mercy upon Us
A sickening sensation went Ike a
70 tie heart, and then cane our
thoughts Of home, and again the c
as thought Of the shelterless pr
and binding SNOW