Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-08-08

ton. We tried new caps on our guns; out
it was of no use, the cones were saturated
with water. We turned toward the camp,
but in our confusion we forgot the direc-
ton. To hcighten the misery of the scene'
our torch was almost burnt outlet that
die and the rest could be easily OWNED.
We were standing, at the time, under a
grove of small pecan trees, and at that IN |
slant a low snort was heard from the
shadow near us, like the cough of dog.
Poke did not say word; but, dropping
the gun, and seizing limb of one OF the
trees over his head, with an agility for
which l had never given him the least
credit. elevated himself to the crotch, about
ten feet from the ground.
l did not want to do anything Of the
kind Of course not; would rather have
placed my back against tree, and won a
glorious death in battle against my numer-
ous foes; but, alackl for bad example, L
dropued the torch that broke in pieces IN
falling. and clasping the nearest tree, which
happened to be medium-sized gum tree
soon scrambled up to place of safety
Lucky it was for me that had that torch
| in my hand, for when it fell, it lay scatter
ed around the base of the tree, still flicker
ing and flashing in the darkness and the
animals that had surrounded us, as they
saw their prey escaping, rushed forward
with an angry noise; they saw the glowing
embers, and held back just long enough to
permit my escape. As drew myself up
on the first limb, arush Of gratitude passed
over my soul. and my feelings were as
warm as a childs. Nothing could be seen,
for the sOmber forest shut out the little
light there was in the atmosphere, but
1 heard the pattcring of feet beneath
nv fortress like falling rain Back anc
, forward they came and went, and snorhne
sounds and champing teeth made the blaei
? night alive with imaginary shapes.
wondered how it Jared with the Doctor, ye
, dared not call, for the uncertainty wa
less fearful than the reality might be.
pictured him fallen, dragged back from HI
balf-attained refuge and divided among tn
hungry pack; and the very noises beiO'
i; might be the mumbling of his bones.
u .U-,;;. the white tusks crushed o'er his white
skull,
IA A it slipn'd through their jaws when the
edges grew dull"
" At length 1 summoned courage anu ca'
9e cd "Pokel"
"HGllOa" was the respOnse-more graf
y ful to my car than any sound in the wOrl
"HOw are you my bOy?' 1 called agail
t. Safe, thank the Lord"
ie rEhat disgraceflA situation to be il
re and how are We to get out Of it?"
81 will be grateful if l can only keep
A it; for this tree is SO small that the wolEt
,e can almost reach re when they jump; an
< as 1 climbed up, one caught my eOat-tai
at and tore it entirely off,"
le "Climb up higher, then"
a 81 can't; the tree is so small that, whC
he I get any higher. it bends over and lets N
" down-oh dear"
&c Haven't you your pistol with you? II
at and shoot one, and it may frighten them.
lie "Oh, dear, no; there are hundreds
r. them. Just look at them below
looked down, and surely could see
T drove of them. They were evidently IL
gray wolf, for, in spite of the darkness,
IS could, once in a while, detect their motion
}; from their light coats.
to Poke suggested that they were PhantOl
s. wolves and declared they were all white:
All the fearful stories that had eve
ID read came coursing through my brain.
,e saw the snow-buried huts snufed out an
,g ravished by these providers, and heard Il
shrek of the child, thrown from the sleig
D. by its fcar-maddened mother, and many a
old dream reshapcd in my mind the te
, rors of nights of fever. Were we to |
" tired out by their devilish patience? W;
one gang to relieve another until we wea.
., lily fell into their hot tainted jaws, thus
>, be hurled into oblivion?
shouted in the hope that some OF
W might hear; but what good to shout in tn;
. midnight forest? heard voice-it ";
as Poke saying his prayers. listened d
~ voutly, but could offer none myself.
II When he had finished, l called him.
10 He answered family
What is it? speak quickly; can't hOl
on much longer"
id "Fire your pistol; do try, it may brin
g. some help, even if it does not kill"
,u Il will try" answered Poke.
There was a mOmentary pause, and the
r the sharp crack of pistol was followed b
the singing of bullet close by my car
l. BY the fash saw Poke, hatless' and a
90 most coatles, hanging on to the topmoi
At branch of a young pecan, that bent wit
him like an orange tree under heav
load of fruit. With the report of the pi
tol there was scramble among the vor'
y eious crew at our feet; but they did not
- :. away permanently, and we're back in IN
ment.
of "Fire the other barrel; dear Poke; b.
- try and fire it the other way-pOint
of down"
he Bang! sounded the pistol, and l heard
We thump on the ground, as the poor fellO
Il