The Goodhue volunteer., 1863-12-30
A RUN FOR LIFE.
By J. W. WATSON.

ter and guide named Dan Butler Mr. Hen
~ Strafford, young Englishman Hiram
Baslop, tho driver and myself: We were
four hundred miles to tho northwest OF
St. Paul, Minnesota, and on our way home.
1t was the second day out from camp, or
rather night, and bitter cold night it was:
The going was amazingly good, for there
had been quite thaw for day or
two, but had within the previous twelve
hours frozen hard. and gave US an excellent
surface. Our team was good one, rather
better than there was any roal occasion for,
but as had carte blanche, and l knew |
could sell them again at St. Paul at what l
gave, bought +hem. Upon this night it
was remarkably still, the only sound to be
heard being the patter Of the horses feet
upon the icy snow, and the heavy breath
ing of Straffold who had fallen asleep in
the back Of the sleigh. 1t was somewhere
about midnight; when suddenly, without
any apparent cause, our horses became rest
i've, occasionally turning their heads as
though anxious to look back, and without
any urging, pushing on at their utmost
speed. When this first commenced l saw
some uneasy motions about Butler. lie
would stand up in the sleigh looking first
at the horses, and then ali around the hori-
zon, wherever his eye could reach, and
pecring into the darkness Of the far vff
woods. At first Baslop, or Hiram As we
called him, seemed intent ON checking the
horses, but at a motion FROM Butler, he let
them out, and We were soon flying over
the ground at a tremendous pace, the sleigh
sway,ng from side to side, and Jumping
from my distractions in the road, in way
that soon woke Stratord, and make hi'n
aware that something vas occurring. l
waited patiently for Butler to speak, for
though suspected what was tho matter
wanted confirmation, but he said nothing.
At last asked him in half whisper. lie
seemed to bo thinking for moment, and
then answered.:
I'm afraid the wolves arc after US. Thi
ere cold snap drives 'cm ,osethcr, and I'm
cussclly Of the idea, that they're a Foleriu'
Of U.S.
The words chilled every drop Of b'ool in
my body, and made my tacth chatter. |
had never had experiences Of these animals
but had read Of horrors enough pcrpetra.
ted ky them to feel the announcement Of
their following US almost equal to a death
warrant. My arms We're Ior5 knife, ri
tie and pair Of revolvers, a pretty form ida
ble armament, but amere trifc against arack
Of hungry wolves. l strained my ears
with an intensity that seemed to 81 to my
very brain, and my eyes, but Butler with
an instinc. sharpened by practice, heard and
. aw farther than did, and his whisper as
he gazed with that eager gaze far behind US
l shall never forget.
Don't you hear 'em? They're not
rnore'n a mile away! There they come,
through tina. gu'ley, two hundred Of 'em, at
least, by the size OF the pack =
l looked in the direction he pointed and
saw black mass looming like the shadow
Of cloud; coming towards us over the very
road We had just passed. saw that our
horses were giving out, and were wasting
what little strength they had left, with
terror, yet still they went on at a fearful!
pace. The cloudy looking mass came near
81 and nearer, with heart sickening rapid
ity, and now we could distinctly hear some
times their bark like that Of wicked dog
and again long, groweling moan. Straf
ford was perfectly cool, and turning propp~
ed himself firmly with his back to the hor-
ses, and laid his ammunition upon the seat
SO that be could reach it easy for reloading
I followed his example, and we were both
facing our pursuers. Hiram was frightened
terribly, and showed it by his nerveless
manner Of holding his horses, and OCCASION
ally BY something coming from his hps,
half oath aud half prayer. l saw Butler
look 6ereely toward him, once Or twice,
and then At last catch him by the arm and
say: .--.
Hold up. man! What are you afeared
On? ? Look to your team and don't let 'em
waste their strength +
'Oh, Lord! don't you think we'd better
take to the trees ? was the only response
Of the terrified man. TX !
Trees eh7 To BE- starved to death, in
stead of being eaten. No sir, that .in't
Dan Buffers ~.y- ain't goin' to hang
nyseife tree, .ad - watched by The
cusssd hrutsa until I AL into their mouths
Ike nps peach ~7~ s~z-.5
By this tims they we're within hundred
yards OF rs, .nd could distinctly see sep
esass oaes = they vouid sway of from the
pack aud hsaf their long painting strids on