The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-05
THE CALIFORNIAN.
A Brave Boy.

When wa. boy lived among the Green
mountains of Vermont; in winter making
snow forts and sliding down the steep hills,
and in summer and autumn wandering over
the mountains after flowers or nuts, or catch
ing the beautiful trout from the brooks. But
my brother in Wisconsin wrote me to come
to him, and went. Our house was on what
was then call "Baxter's Prairie" The pral'
rie was covered with flowers, and the many
clear lakes around abounded in fish and
ducks; but our principal food was hoe cake
and salt pork.
One of our neighbors had had no meat for
a long time, and getting out Of powder they
had no game so one day they sent up their
Oldest son, boy about ter. years old, for a
piece of pork. AS he was carrying it home
wards, and going through piece Of woods
by" Silver Lake." he heard rustling of the
leaves in thicket by the roadside. lie
stopped and listened-all was still. Again
he pushed forward, again the leaves rustled
behind him, and he thought he heard a
stealthy step. Again he stopped everything
was still except the gentle dash of the waves
upon the pebbly beach, and the rapid beating
of his own heart. lie dreaded to 60 forward,
and he dared not stay, for he saw night was
approaching, when the woods always echoed
with the howl of the hungry wolf, and the
savage bear and stealthv catamounts came out
from their dens. So licking up club, he
again started homeward. Again came the
stealthy step behind him, nearer and nearer,
until he saw gaunt and savage wolf creep
ing after him, and as he hurried on still cling
ing to his meat, the wolf was coming nearer
and nearer, and he might at any moment
spring upon him.
Still the boy, though he trembled in every
limb, did not lose his presence Of mind. He
remembered having heard his father say that
if any one faced wild animal and looked it
square in the eye, it would not dare to attack
him. He turned around and faced the hun
cry wolf, and commenced walking backwards
towards his home, still long mile and half
away. AS the woods grew darker the wolf
came nearer, showing his white teeth, with
his hair bristling upon his back. The coura-
geous boy knew that if he gave up his piece
Of pork he was safe, and could run home un-
molested, but he knew there were some hum
cry ones at home awaiting his return. So
backwards he went step by step. As the wolf
came near, he hit him square upon the head
with stone. when with an angry "yelp," the
wolf sprang into the thicket,an set up long
and dismal howl. The boy listened to hear
if there were any answering howls, and hear
ing none, took courage; but soon the savage
beast, maddened with hunger, came at him
again. With his club he gave him we'll
directed blow between the eyes, which sent
him bowling back again into the thicket.
Again and again was the contest renewed
many times did the savage yet cowardly ami
nal make spring at the lad, and many times
did the brave boy beat him off, until at last he
came near the log cabin of his parents, when
the disappointed wolf, with long and wall
ing howl, dashed away into the woods. Trem-
bling with excitement, and wet with perspira-
ton, tie boy dropped the meat upon the floor
crying, Mother, I've got it" and fell ex-
hausted at his mothers feet.