The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-05-04
HUNTED BY WOLVES,
A CHASE FOR LIFE.

One of the most muscular, powerful,
full limbed settlers on the New York
frontiers, a century since, was Heinrich
Kaupman. His arms were like piston.
rods, and he could drive his huge NAL.
let fists with such tremendous momen-
tum as to fell an OK as if stricke en- by
thunderbolt.
1t is said that he was once caught by
two iron muscled Mohawks, each Of
whom were armed with knives, while
Heinrich had neither, yet at the first on.
set he fractured the skull of the fore
most Indian, and bore the second to the
earth as if he were nothing but an infant
That Indian never resumed the perpen-
dicular again.
All this by way Of introduction to an
adventure that Kaupman once had with
a pack OF wolves, and which came fear
fully nigh having a fatal result for him
The winter of IL was an unusually
severe one throughout the northern
States, and many deaths from exposure
and starvation occurred before the open
ing of the spring. The wolves, bears
and wild animals became nearly famish.
ed from hunger. and, rs q consequence,
were unusually fierce and courageous
They came down from the mountains,
and woe 70 the sheepfold that was un
protected during the night. They W. re
sure to be invaded by the starving ami
mails. and not h sheep would live to tell
the tale There were tracks around
barns, where the wolves lad trotted all
night in their search for some means of
entrance their howls could be heard
through the still, cold hours, aud more
than one housewife had been chased to
her very door by imprudently venturing
forth at night.
Many OF the settlers sat in the upper
story Of their houses, and amused them
selves by shooting the wolves for ykese
scalps the Government had had stand
ing bounty of several shillings.
Heinrich Kaupman remained at home,
only vcnturing forth to atten to his
dumb animals. and to see that they were
properly protected during the night
But after while, his stock of groceries
became low, and finally gave out alto.
gether. True. ne and his family could
live on the poultry. sheep and animals
they owned; but it was rather unpleas-
ant to be without tea, coffee, sugar, salt
and many other articles that were more
necessities than they were Injuries.
With want Of sorc sight which he
could never explain, he started upon his
journey without any weapon. except a
keen edged hatchet, which he carried in
case the sled should give out In the
house hung his trusty rife, but neithe.
he nor his trusty wife seem I'd to imag
inc that there would be any call for it.
and he drove cheerfully awar, bidding
his wife merry good bye. and bis mar
went toward the village.
The latter place, which might more
properly be termed settlement, WIS
reached in due time, the groceries all
bought, aud everything was in readiness
to start home.
Heinrich had been storm bound 50
long in his house that he found the com.
panionship of his friends at the village
tavern very agreeable There was so
much to talk about so much news to list
en- to, such quantity Of gossip regard
ing tile affairs OF the neighborhood, that
the time slipped unconsciously by, until,
when he arose to GO, he found it to be
almost dark.
Still, he had no fears, as his wife
would understand that he had remained
at the village, and there was no necessi-
ty for his immediate return.
As he turned homeward and left the
village behind him, and noticed that the
dim light by which he was travelling
belonged 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
Lad left his rifle behind
The road, deep between the drifts of
snow, was Of just sufficient width for the
little mare ond sled. and the spirited
little animal went forward at a swift
gait. while Heinreich, somewhat stupi-
fed and weary, was begniled into