Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-11-03
A Thrilling Wolf Story.
BY LEE MARTIN DICKS.

Maine, in wild and thinly populated
section of the country. Time was
passing pleasantly, for enjoyed the
rustic simplicity of the people, and
more than all, enjoyed the sport Of
hunting, in which engaged with some
of the young men of the neighborhood.
| had fingered beyond my design and
had found a good number of acquaint-
ances; and as my business was not
at that time urgent, was by no means
in hurry to tear myself away from
so much that was both novel and in,
teresting.
We were talking about a wolf hunt
| for these animals were very trouble
some, rendering it necessary for farm
ers to yard their sheep at night; and
rendering it also, a matter of great
imprudence for people to travel thro
woods after nightfall. These animals
generally go in packs, or gangs, OF
from four to dozen. They scatter
about in the same vicinity, and when
only one of the number scents prey
he sets up vigorous bowling, which
is answered by his comrades, and they
hasten to join in pursuit. The habits
of these animals are such as to render
it difficult to lay any definite plans to
take them; for it is very uncertain
where they will be at any particular
time, They traverse broad sections
of country, and do not stop to form
any very strong local attachments.
1t was towards sundown, upon a
bright day in early autumn, that ]
started out from my uncle'S to 60 tc
the house of neighbor who lived on
ly about mile distant; yet it requir
ed circuit of about two and a half
miles when we went by the road
There was blind foot path leading tc
the house the shortest way but it led
through thick wood. ! had passed
over the route several times, and had
no fear of missing my way, and went
on with full assurance. | fell into a
thoughtful mood, and did not take
strict heed to the path, and when
about midway, discovered that had
deViated, either to the right or left,
and was going at random. | paused
a moment to collect my wits, and soon
decided in my mind that the path lay
to the right, and made a short turn
expecting every moment to strike up
on it. The truth was the path laid tc
the left, and [ was every moment
plunging deeper into the woods.
nninknnnd my roon, 60" 4,d not
dream of being mistaken, and began
to feel impatient to find the track
The sun had set, and dusky shadows
had began to gather around me.
walked still faster, and finally struck
into half running gait, or what is
sometimes called a Hdog trot" A
suspicion at last crossed my minC
that | was wrong, and | paused tC
consider-but how clear it appeared
that the path was just ahead of me
| might have possibly crossed it in my
, haste, for it was growing quite dark
The darkness increased every momen
andI soon came to the conclusion
that were | in the path, | shoulC
scarcely know it, for it was very ob
. scure.
What was to be done? | did no
fancy the idea of going very far astra.
in these dark woods, for in one direc
ton they extended indefinitely ava,
among the wild hills, and were th,
prowling grounds for such animals a
it might not be safe to meet in th'
t night time. The moon was just ris
D ing, but she came up in the wron|
/ pIace-as ] fancied almost in th
west. This confused me, and for tn
2 first time | felt bewildered sensa
t tion. The scene appeared wild AM
: strange. | came to the conclusion
that [ would stop where | was, an
. after the moon had climbed sufficient
! " high to light my way, would max
t further effort to extricate mysel
, from this unpleasant predicament.
/, sat down on a messy rock, and trie,
e to believe that | felt somewhat recon
ciled to my lot, but was not very sue
Y cessful in this effort. The dark shaC
ows' of the evergreens fell heavil
v around me; while the light strugglin
v through partial openings, assume
e ghostly forms. Once, an owl perche
for a moment on a branch over m
d head, and whooped forth a nocturns
e salute; then he spread his whit
y wings, and plunged into the shado'
of a gigantic hemlock. | sat ther
= gloomy and silent-not exactly satis
u fed with my condition, but determir
ed to make the best of it. [ though
Il of several things, wolves among th
l. rest, and listened expecting to hea
s their howlings. | do not think | wa
very much afraid. I thought of notl
it ing more to be dreaded than wolve
IS and | felt confident that | could avoi
them, if necessary, by climbing, and
d was good at that.
The moon came up slowly.
1, seemed long time before she noun
d ed high enough to throw diret
d light upon the forest, but she reache
ii the point at last, and being near he
r full, she shone with her creates
y strength. The foliage, however, Wa
+ so dense, as to ward off her rays. to
e very great extent; yet they penetr
= ted open spaces and chopped the LAM
le scape into strongly contrasted pate
le es of light and darkness. [ now r
solved to go onward, and find mysel