The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-05
A BRAVE BoY-When I was asbov II

A BRAVE BoY-When I was aboy I lived
aomng 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 catching the fine
beautiful trout from the brooks. But nv
brother in Wisconsin wrote me to 90 to
him, and went. Our house was on what
was then called the "Baxter's Prai; ie.'-
The prairie was then covered with flowers.
and the many clear lakes around abounded
in fish and ducks; but our principle food
One of our neighbors had had no meat for
long time, and getting out ofpowder they
had no game; so one day they sent up their
Oldest son, a boy about ten years old for a
piece ofpork. AS he was carrying it home
wards, and going through piece of woods
by "Silver Lake, he heard a rustling in the
stopped and listened-all was still
Again he pushed forward, again the leaves
rustled behind him, and he thought he
heard stealthy step. El7
Again he stopped; everything was still
except the gentle dash Of the waves upon
the pebbly beach, and the rapid beat
ing OF his own heart. He dreaded to 20
forward, and he dared not stay for he saw
night was approaching, when the woods
always echoes with the howl of the hungry
wolf, and the savage bear and stealthy cat
amount came out from their dens. Sc.
picking up club, he again started home
ward. Again came the stealthy step be-
hind him, nearer and nearer until he saw
gaunt and savage wolf creeping after him
and as he hurried on still clinging to his
meat, the wolf was coming nearer, and he
might at any moment spring upon him,
Still the boy, though he trembled in eve.
~ 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 eve, it would not
dare to attack him. He turned around and
faced the hungry wolf, and commenced
walking backward towards his home. still
q long mile and a half away. As the woods
grew darker, the wolf came nearer. show
ing his white teeth, with hair bristlin9 up ,
on his back. The little courageous boy
knew that II he gave up his piece of pork
ne was safe, and could run home unmOlee-
ted, but he knew there were hungry ones
at home awaiting his return. So back
wards 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, and set up
a long and dismal howl. The boy listened
and hearing none, he took courage, but
soon the savage beast maddened with hun
ger, came at him again. With his club he
gave him a well 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 saw
age, yet covardly animal, make Q spring
at the lad, and as many times did the brave
bow beat him of, until at last he came near
the log cabin of his parents, when the d.
appointed wolf, with a long and wailinp
howl dashed away into the woods. Tremb.
ling with excitement, and wet with perspi-
ration, the boy dropped the meat upon the
the door, crying, Mother, I've got Il, !" and
fell exhausted at his mothers feet.