Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-11-03

only increased my speed. As | rush
ed along with such haste, a peculiar
note struck my ear. 1t was just what
I had expected-it was the distant
howl of wolf! ! was by no means
terrified, but I mused upon the proba-
bility that I should have to pass the
remainder of the night in a tree
Such a lodging was not exactly to my
taste, but as Tom Beels said about
the toothache, it was better than
nothing. | felt so sure could avoid
the hungry gang, by such an arrange
ment, that [ was in no haste to seek
a resting place. The bowling contin-
ued, and | paused to listen. | heard
a tramping noise, not like wolves. nor
horses-more like men upon run.
l listened closely, and heard the mur~
mur of human voices. They seemed
to be crossing my path, but short
distance ahead. | redoubled m Y
speed, and soon saw by the uncertain
moonlight, company of about six
men, and as many women, running for
their lives; while the bowling beasts
were upon their tracks, and nearing
| them every minute. [ recognized
the foremost as the son of one of the
farmers in the neighborhood, with
whom ] had formed pleasant &C
quaintance. hailed him of course.
"Halloo, Wilber! what is the
rush ?"
"The wolves are after US p
"But you can't outrun them. Why
not help the girls into a tree, and we
can fight them, if necessary"
"There is an old house on ahead
and | think we can reach it"
This conversation was carried on
without loss of time; for both parties
were running all the while at the top
of their speed.
| had already made the discovery
that we had struck upon a wild cross
road, used mostly for drawing wood,
and sometimes hay and grain from
some back lots. | now understood
my. whereabouts. | had been there
before on hunting excursions, but it
was very far from my imagined local
ity. | had gone from three to four
miles directly away FROM my point Of
destination. remembered the house
my friend referred to. 1t was a log
house which had never been finished,
built by man who had thought to
settle in that section, and clear up a
farm; but he relinquished the idea,
and left his embryo habitation as a
covert for owls and wild beasts.
The bowling by this time came fear
fully near and | doubted whether
| the house in question could be reached.
L doubted Tue pTUpIIcLy vi try inS ~,
/ but it seemed a very poor time to ar
que the matter. Each of the young
men had a girl upon his arm, and |
fell in at the rear, thinking | might,
perhaps, give notice of the approach
of the wolves, to increase, if possible,
the speed of the fugitives, or perhaps
induce them to endeavor to seek some
nearer place of safety. 1t was still
some little distance to the house, and,
as it seemed to me, the girls were
nearly ready to fall down with eX-
haustion. On came the wolves |
was aware'by the din they made, that
there was a good umber. | felt sure
they would overtake US very soon,
and if ever | wished for arbitrary
power it was then, for felt sure that
we could avoid them by ascending a
tree. We passed several, with limbs
so low, that they could be easily as
cended, even by the girls, whose har-
dy habits rendered them qualified for
such a task. More than once | sug.
gested the plan; but my suggestions
were not heard The one idea of
reaching the house, had absorbed eve
ry other thought. ....
The wolves were gaining on US fear
fully. | could hear the dry brush
crack beneath their feet, and could
hear, even their deep cultural breath
ings-yes, and | saw their dark forms
as they crossed an open space upor
which the light of the moon was pour
ing. On they came, wild with fury
and maddened by hunger, swapping
like so many loosed spirits of dark
ness. What could be done The
house was in sight, out it was impos
sible to reach it in time. 1t was ever
, too late to seek refuge In tree
Every chance seemed to have vanish
ed, but the desperate chance of being
eaten alive! We were all unarmee
and could not even offer any efectua
, resistance. A thought flashed upo;
, my mind. KOS ..aI
; "Drop your shawls," cried will
all the vehemence | could muster. fol
[ doubted whether | should be heard
t But as fortune would have it fou
. shawls Immediately dropped from th'
r wearers, upon the ground. | caugh
$ them up and laid them a few rod
: apart, along the road. This was evel
i, more effectual than | had anticipated
for when the wolves came up the,
[ paused to tear them in pieces; and il
their anger, and fury, fought with eacI
t other over the relics This gave u
: time to reach the old house; but W
t found to our horror that there was n
! door and no chamber only fev
r bare overwayso extending from on
t side to the other. There was no tim
; for consideration The top log of tn
a house afforded a slight foothold, insid
1 the hoardinp at the ora bleS fTh