St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-03-06
rEARNB CO.. MINNESOTA, THURSDAY, MARCH g. 1882

1no - 10 2u.A2IA4.- . .-..,.I4 -. 1870
-7TE 77T -T1-:-|7- W 7------ ------ y
distant made the suggestion and asked
his advice. ...t. ,.t,..,A 80
~ fear We shall be compelled to do it,"
he ars" cred "and I prize the life Of my
gallant beast almost as much as my own.
But the, pack is, constantly augmenting,
and the courage Of the brutes increases
with numbers. Every moment I fancy
they get nearer to US, and one unlucky
stumble may be fatal to both. We will
try the virtue Of firing into them, however,
before we give up all hope Of saving our
animals"
I The next moment thesrcport of his pis-
tol was followed by wild howl OF fear,
and 4 scattering back Of the cowardly crew ;
but in couple Of minutes they faced us
again, seemed more resolute and determin.
ed than ever. It was fearful thing to
see their fiery eycballs cleaning in cir
Gle around us, and hear their wild, discor-
dant cries, commingled with the roaring,
shrleking tempest.
Following the exam pie of my compan-
ion, drew one Of my pistols, and, point
ing it toward the nearest, fred. The same
result as before. There were cries as Of
pain, rage, and fear, and momentary
scattering ofthe affrighted band. and then
they we're about US again, as defiant and
menaeing Us ever. ,:
There was no help for it-our horses
must be sacrifced-and most fortunate
would it be for us ii even this should save
MS. We got together again, and, taking
hold Of hands, swore, by our honor as SOL
diers, TO- stand by each other to the last
Then We threw the brides to the winds,
and, still keeping hold of hands, plunged
onward' through h the opposing drifts and
driving storm. -., -'
We had advanced but few PAGES, how
ever, when our ears were pierced by most
uneartbly shrieks, asd yells, and groans,
and furious gnashing !; and then We knew
that the hungry monsters were at their
bloody work, and that our poor, forsaken
beasts would never bear ua again. Now
or never was our chance for escape, and
manfully did we struggle forward. Reach
ing "a spot from which the wind had gath
cred up the snow, leaving for some distance
a clear, open path, We had the satisfaction
Of finding the guide-post, and therefore Of
knowing We we're going right; and push
ing forward. as rapidly as we could, We
gained . point where the glimmering
lights of Rocco Rssa made our hearts
bound with hope and joy. .. ~
But our dangers were not yet orer ; for
scarcely had We reached the point alluded
10, when we once more heard the wolves
bowling near US. Our horses were al
ready devoured, and some of the beasts
we're satiated, but tho first assailants had
been joined By others, fresh from the noun.
tains and We knew that these latter, by
having, perhaps, mere taste Of blood,
would be more bold and furious than the
former.
@aTheerc is small ! chapel this side Of the
village" said my companion, "and if we
can reach that, ', we shall be safe for the
night let us make a last run for it"
We bounded forward with all our might,
and soon. found ourselves plunged out Of
sight in, an enormous drift. We scram-
bled through it as fast as we could but
before we were fairly clear Of it, the fore.
most wolf was, upon Us, his eyes glaring,
bis teeth crashing, and his breath pant.
ing. I drew my pistol and snapped it:
1t did not FIRE. But the noise startled
him, and he sprang aside little, only to
press forward again when he found he va,
noti hurt, and that he was supported by
numbers, I snapped my pistol again, and
again it missed fire. and this time the fu.
rious beast scarcely turned his head:
do believe he would have seized me, IA.
icing hum as I was, if my companion had
! not been more successful in his attempt to
shoot: His pistol vas discharged in hia
very face, and he fell back, howling with
the pain Of his wound,r ard in less than d
minute, was torn:to pieces by bis cowardiy
and uni grateful associates: .*oy ..: +:
! Thlar 1iparaion.l in orr faxrir. a va u n,