The Goodhue volunteer., 1863-12-30
HUECoUTY 80

the cabin to find something with which we
could barricade. 1t was we'll we were so
quick, for before we had the door secured
they threw themselves upon it BY doz-
ems, bowling like so many fends. Butler
had kept sufficient presence of mind to
bring the sleigh lantern with him, and we
now began oloo6 around the place to see
how we were situated. The windows were
high from the ground, and all secured, and
the house had evidently been Used since its
desertion by its builders as hunters rem
devious, for in one corner quite stock of
brush and wood for burning was heaped,
which in few minutes was blazing fire.
At this moment q terrible shrek came upon
the wind, far above the howl Of the wolves,
and stopping OFT talk in an instant:
Them critters have got the hosses !! was
Buffers first words. They've got 'em sure
and won't leave square inch Of flesh upon
their bones. They'll be quiet for while,
but they'll soon be back, worse than ever p
1t was exactly as he had said; there was
but little noise about the cabin for few
minutes, but soon we could hear them re-
turning smelling and jumping about the
door, and springing at the windows. We
were sitting around the fire, having some
sense of security, when all at once fearful
scream Of terror from Hiram broke forth,
and we all turned our eyes to where we saw
his directed, hole about four feet across
in the roof through which the heads Of five
wolves gazed down upon our party. The
first idea was paralyzins, but we recovered
Instantly under Buffers word.
They can't do any harm Them sort a
yarmnts don't like the smell Of fire. If the
W God only holds out we're all right!'
We'll I'll take one chance at those fellows
said,' raising my rifle, but Butler put his
hand on my arm.
Don't waste powder and shot. stranger! !!
he said, God knows how soon ye may
want every grain Of it. They can't tfod ble
US from there and 80 it'll be best to savo
yerself ontl they do.'
They'll all go away in the morning p I
asked, Wont they p
The Lord only knows 'Taint onfre.
quent thing for ON to hold ON day after
day, and night after night
This was cold comfort indeed for us
through that long and weary night, and far
into the next day as we sat there without
food and watched those fearful heads look
ing in through the roof hole, one Of them
sometimes going away, an be relieved by his
fellow, while hundreds Of them were howl
ing and racing around the building.
1t must have been approaching four
o'clock OF the next day, when we heard a
distant shot and all started en- their feet at
once, rising as it wero in instant out Of that
despair OF death tina: had settled upon US.
We listened with an intensity that was
painful, and in minute heard four or fvs
more shots and shout. The whole OK
preston of Buffers face changed instantly,
and striking one hand upon the other, he
almost yelled:
That's Bill Hilton's party sartin I
don't know what sent 'em south SO soon.
but it's them
Straford looked in astonishment 1t the
old hunter and SAID, Impossible =
Don't see any impossibility in it, squire -!
Kal late they might travel jist about as fast
as we could. Anyhow he continued, after
several more shots and some shouts came
in on the wind, that's Bill Hiton's throat
l haven't travelled with him for nigh onl
twent five years. without knowing his
voice. |
1t was plain tho shooters were many
and that they were closing upon US; bu
before we had much chance for speculation
they were about the cabin, and We tarcw
the doors open to our delieyrers. .s.~&-. -..} i
1t was sure enough, the very party wei
had left two days before the one with which
STAFFORD had been travelling. With his
departure they hsd suddenly changed their
plans and determined instead Of going far
ther north to turn exactly the other way
while on their move which had been rap
id one, they came across the remains Of our
horses, and instantly recognized them in The
harness. From this they drew their do
duction that We could not be tar awsy Iyei
or dead, and therefore going in for the
mere love o, it, commenced tracking u.s.
that they might enter upon = wolf hunt,
and glorious one It turned eut, for within
. short d;sfsnce nf TIA honsa xre counted {