Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-03-12

BY the taste OF blood.
To attempt flight was madness.
To stay where | was, would be GER
lain death. Rather a serious d.
and so 1t proved.
My next thought was the tree,
but q single glance at It's huge
bereft o fbark, and as smooth
as my gun stock, checked hope in
that direction.
To make . stand, with my back
the tree, was my only
chance, and so first dragging the
bears meat some distance on one
side, in the faint hope that 1t might
satisfy the brutes appetite, took
position and threw my rifle into
the hollow OF my left arm for an
instant use. l was not q moment
too soon, fer scarcely had | made
these simple preparations, before
the yelling, snarling. swapping pack
burst into view. With q rush they
made for the bears meat, and the
next instant were fiercely fighting
for the prize.
1t would be deficult to portray
my feelings as | stood looking at
this fearful display of brute iero-
city, for | well knew that my turn
would come next. And vet min
CLING with this overwhelming hOr-
rOr, was a sentiment ofinterest as l
watched the bloody conflict.
In vain | shouted with ell the
strength Of my lungs, hoping, not
only to intimidate the wolves, but
that | might be heard in camp. 1t
would not do. They fought on
until nothing was lett, save the
white shining bones, and then, one
by Que, with glaring eyes, and
bloody mouths, they drew around
inc their dreadful Gordon of death.
The cowardly instincts for o
while prevented their attacking,
but as the circle grew smaller aud
smaller, the creatures became more
bold in their aspect, and more
threatening in their demonstra-
tiOns.
One huge, grey and grizzled old
fellow, the leader, probably, had
taken position directly in front Of
me. To him the others seemed to
look for the signal Of assault.
This one | determined to kill.
slowly aud cautiously | raised
the hammer, aud brought my rife
to my face. The brute seemed to
understand my motions, for with a
fierce snarl he crOuched az though
ready for the spring.
Already l had drawn q bead be-
tween the glaring eyes, when, with
q sickening feeling Of horror that
even yet recurs 10 me at times, |
realized the terrible fact that my
rife was not loaded. In my eager
ness to get my quarry TO camp, !
had forgotten TO re.charge.
With o grOan Of anguish / let the
piece fall from my grasp, and NUT
tering a prayer, l drew my hunting
knife, and prepared for the con-
fict.
1t was not long deferred. AZ
the rifle fell crashing to the earth,
the leading wolf sprang forward 1t
my throat.
remembered but little Of the
details Of this fearful struggle
8liudly, madly, l cut and thrust in
sheer desperation, with no hope Of
ever coming out Of that press alive,
and yet actuated by q feeling Of
savage hatred to the cowardly
bruies who piled upon me.
At times | felt my blade CRATE
harshly against bones or sinews,
and then sgain could feel and hear
1t enter 10 the hilt with a deep
thud. At such times a wolf would
surely fall, or else drag himself
sorely wounded out of the fight.
Nor can tell how long II lasted.
a felt my strength ebbing away in
| dozen different wounds. / felt
the sharp fangs Of the animals
piercing arms, legs and shoulders.
so far, had kept my throat guard
ed, but how much longer could | do
so. My arm was growing weak
the goary knife was almost drop.
ping from my grasp; my head
swan, and q bloody film gathered
before my eyes. The shaggy brutes
pressed me harder and harder as
they saw me sinking under their
attacks. One last effort, aud catch
lug one Of my assailants by the
long hair of his neck. l buried my
knife to the hilt IN his vitals, and
sank to the ground. As | went
down l had a dim. confused sensa-
ton Of hearing shouts aud rapid
hiring, but this was momentary and
then became Unconscious.
When came to my senses, l was
In camp, lying on a buffalo rug,
with Sandy busily engaged In re-.
newing the bandages on my MANY
wounds. The fellows had become
uneasy at my prolonged absence,
aud starting out after me, had been
attscted by the bowls ofthe wolves
as well as my shouts. What had
seemed TO me 10 occupy hours, had,
in reality, taken place in a few
minutes. finally recovered,
thanks TO 2 good constitution, but
VIII bear with me to the grave the
mark of the Grey Wolves teeth,
This is the reason why | never
spare one, if | can get him within
reach OF my rifle.
The New York Tribune of the
2Sth ut. says
Is not this a little premature ?
Is Mr.. Butler impatient, or is It
that he has inconsideratc friends
A band of his own ''contrabands'