North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-05-08
gelert gtory.
AN AFFRAY WITH WOLVES


tier, century since, was Heinrich Kaup-
mann. His arms were like piston-rods
and he could drive his huge mallet fist
with such tremendous momentum as tt
fall an OK as if STRICKEN by a thunderbolt
tits said that he was once caught BY
two iron-muscled Mohawks, each armed
with knives, while Heinrich had neither
yet at the first onset he fractured the skull
Of the foremost Indian, and bore the sec
ond to the earth as if he was nothing but
an infant That Indian never resumed his
perpendicular again, ..
All this by way of introduction 10 an
adventure that Kaupmann once had with
a pack of wolves, and which came fear
fully nigh having fatal result for hlm.
The winter of IL was an unusually Sc
we're one throughout the Northern States
any many deaths from exposure and star
Yation occurred before the opening OF
spring. The wolves, bears and wild ami
mails became nearly famished from hunger.
and in consequence, were usually fierce
and courageous. They came down from
the mountain, and woe to the sheepfold
that was left unprotected during the light.
They were sure to be invaded by the starv-
ing animals, and not a sheep woald live
to tell the tale. .r.
There were tracks around the barns,
where the wolves had trotted all night in
their search for some means of entrance
their howls could be heard through the
| still, cold hours, and more than one house
wife had been chased to her very door by
imprudently venturing forth at nightfalI.
Many of the settlers sat in the upper
story of their houses, and amused them
selves by shooting the wolves, for whose
scalps the Government had standing
bounty ofseveral shilliugs.
Heinrich Kaupmann remained at home,
only ventering forth to attend to his dumb
| animals, and to see that they were properly
protected during the night. But after a
while, bis stock of groceries became low,
and finally gave out altogether. True, he
and his family could live on the poultry,
sheep, and animals they owned; but it
was rather un pleasant to be without tea
coffee, sugar, salt, and many other articles
that more necessities than they were lux
uries.
BY this time, too, the roads had been
traversed so much, that they were thor
oughly broken, and Heinrich concluded to
harness up his mare to his sled and 90 to
the village, about four miles distant, and
procure the articles he so much needed.
With want of foresight which he nev-
cr could explain, he started upon his
Journey without any weapon except
keen edged hatchet, winch he carriedsin
case the sled would give out In the
honse hung his trusty rife, but neither he
nor his wife seemed to imagine that there
would be any call for it, and he drove
cheerily away, bidding his wife a merry
good-by, as his mare went at spanking
gait down the road towards the village,
The latter place which might more
properly be termed a settlement-was
| reached in due time, the groceries all
bought, and everything was in readiness
| to start homeward. ~ ..
Heinrich had been storm-bound so long
in his house that he found companion
ship of his friends at the village tavern
very agreeable. There was so much to
talk about, so much news to listen to, such
quantity Of gossip regarding the affairs
of the neighborhood, that the time slipped
unconsciously by, until, when be arose to
90, he found it almost dark.
Still he had no fears as his wife would
understand that he had remained at the
village, and there was no necessity of his
immediate return.
As he turned homeward and left the
village behind him, and noticed that the
dim light by which he was travelling be-
longed to the moon, it flashed upon him
that perhaps he would encounter danger
before reaching home, and he regretted,
for the twentieth time, that he had left his
rife behind. --.. ~.
The road, deep between the drifts of
snow was ofjust sufficient width for the
little mare and sled, and the spirited little
animal went forward at swift gait, while
Heinrich somewhat stupifed and weary,
was beguiled into drowsiness by the easy
gliding motion of the sled.
He was half asleep and half conscious,
when he became sensible of the rapid in
crease of the motion Of the sled. He felt
it jerk several time beneath him, and all
at once fercer jerk than usual, accom-
panied by neigh of terror, effectualIv
around him, and he sat bolt upright and
looked around. He looked in front; all
wore its wonted appearance wild strag
Cling piece of wood, standing two feet
deep in snow, the narrow track twisting
through it; the heavens cold and clear,
the earth white; but close behind the sled
were three guant animals, cantering heavi-
ly, while fourth was fast gaining behind.
The jaws of the leading wolf, owing to
the slowness of the sled, were within
reach of Heinrich's shoulder. But the
latter cared little for this. The brutes
were after the mare, and upon her courage
and fortitude depended the escape of her.
self and master.
If the alarmed creature, could have the