The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-09-08

with my fowling-piece to fire immedi-
ately when they were within shot.
The fleetest of the pack dashed ahead
of the others, and approached within II
few yards of the sledge. Their howls
were fearful. / fred two barrels, and
three wolves fell dead or wounded In
an instant these were surrounded by the
Others, who quickly tore to pieces and
devoured their fallen comrades.
This obtained us a respite-but a very
short one; for in less than minute
nothing remained Of the wolves / had
shot but their bones.
l again loaded my piece, and again
the pack dashed on in pursuit. We had
not gained half a mile when they were
again up with us.
This time they came on more furious
ly and boldly than before-the brutes
had tasted blood.
When they were near enough, l again
fired, and two wolves fell. This time,
however, the devouring of their COM
panions did not take so long, for had
only wounded two.
Once again 1 reloaded the fowling-
piece, and found that all our ammuni-
ton was thereby exhausted.
"Do not fire." said Fritz, when l in
formed him of the fact, "till the last
moment-reserve your fire for our last
chance"
"Is there any?" asked gloomily.
| zone, and one only. Not far from
this, in the woods hence-but / do not
know how far, perhaps not more than a
mile-is an old hunting-lodge ;,if we can
reach it we are safe-if not, we are lost. D"
On came the wolves-and they were
many, and quite close upon the slcdge.
Two terrific great monsters were alb
solutely just abreast of us, and were
striving to get ahead to the horses, who,
poor brutes, could hear and see them,
and tore away at such a terrible pace
that even the swift wolves could not
gain upon us.
"Fire! fre" shouted Fritz; " fire,
and aim well; for if those brutes reach
the horses, we are lost"
/ fired barrel at the wolf on my left,
and over he went with bullet through
his body.
very nearly missed the second, but
fortunately the ball grazed the bone of
his leg, breaking it, and causing him to
fall.
But several others took their places.
"Keep them off! keep them otfv'
shouted Fritz, "but for one minute, and
we are saved. The hut is close by"
Frantically he tlogged and shouted to
the horses, ,and desperately they respond
ed to the call.
fired the two barrels of the remain
ing fowling-piece, and then, sticking
my pistols in my belt, shouldered my
gun, and standing up, struck right and
left at the bowling pack, which were
now rapidly accumulating on our rear
The next moment, and we pulled uE
short at the hut.
Fire your pistols right in their
faces" shouted old Fritz.
l did SO, and had the satisfaction of
seeing the bowling pack fall back for g
minute.
This gave Fritz an opportunity of
jumping out and cutting adrift the
horses, who Immediately galloped off.
snow, sir, now!" he cried, holding
open the hut door" haste"
Still holding the fowling- piece by the
barrel, and swinging it around me,
leaped to the ground.
, Some of the wolves had dashed off il
pursuit of the horses, while others were
between me and the hut.
l struck viciously at the bowling
brutes, and rushed through them to th(
! open door.
One monster sprang at my throat, but
fortunately, 1 succeeded in strikin!
him down, and he was content will
: tearing piece, with his horrid fangs
from my leg.
/ The next instant, faint and bleeding
. we were safe in the hut, and Fritz bar
; red and bolted the door, leaving tn
pack outside.
For moment or two they scratched
, and gnawed at the door, and then dash
ed Off to join their companions in tn
chase after the horses.
, Soon after we heard heart-rendin
5 and piercing screams.
"Ah, thought sO,' said Fritz sadly
"my poor horses! They can stand
great deal; but when one comes to b
; torn to pieces by wolves, it is no wonde
+. they cry out"
l 1t was not long before the furious pacI
returned for, having deVOured tn
horses, and apparently not half satisfied
e they surrounded the hut on all side,
, and nothing could be heard but thei
/, horrible howlings. We ecOuld hear theI
v scraping, scratching, and tearing tn
: woodwork of the hut with their teeth
G Next they attempted to climb to tn
t roof, and soon some succeeded, for W
, could hear them crawling about outside
r There was no chimney to the hut, bu
merely an aperture in the roof for til
d smoke to escape.
The hut in which we had found ten
= porary safety consisted only of fou
e walls, made of rough but strong slal
It of wood.
/, 1t contained a rude fireplace, and, fo
l. tunately for US, there were still embe!
d smouldering. There was also Ii
y tie green brushwood in the hui
v which Fritz baStonpd IN cast I'm the fir