National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-03-18
G. Harden, IIapper.

anu thC uCIlClOuS tWulSut Ndo ldSu
fleing succeeded by the darkness of
night. All nature seemed to be
asleep. The birds had long since
flown home to their nests in the
long prairie grass, and even the
fierce wolves, which usually make
night hideous in the far West, were
quiet in their hiding places. a
chill wind swept gently over the
vast expanse of billowy prairie,
lightly rustling the October flowers
and grasses as it passed; pale
moon tlOated majestically overhead; !;
the stars came out one by one, in
the clear sky, until the overarching
canopy Was twinklins 40 with mil
lions of precious gems.
A human being was making his
way through the long prairie grass
with tremendous strides. A long
rifle was trailing behind him; an
antelope was flung across his Shouts
der. The man was evidently hun
ter who had got belated in his long
search for game, and was hurrying
to camp: ever and anon he would
cast anxious glances around and be-
hind him, as though he half expect
ed to see some human pursuer. or
some dangerous wild beast appear
and spring upon him but as none
came. and each stride carried him
nearer to safety and friends, his un-
easiness gradually abated. .. .
The trapper was Cornelius Har
den. Il man well known through the
| far West. He was Il brave mau /;
braver than he never tr0d the earth.
The life of a trapper III the north.
west is dangerous in the extreme ;
vet he was never known to finch in
the hour of danger; friend and foe
alike respected him, and from the
Saskatchewan to the Platte. from
the Columbia to the Missouri, his
name was spoken by brother trap
pers with accents OF love and admi-
ration.
The cause of the trapper's uneasi-
ness, however mysterious to the
reader, was only too apparent to
himself. The scarcity of game in
the more northern regions had driv-
Ell large numbers of wolves south
ward to seek subsistence. He
| knew well that scores OF these fierce
animals were secreted III the deep
| Jungle of the prairie and in the ad-
lacent forests, and he was fearful
lest the smell of the fresh blood of
the slain antelope which was flung
across his shoulder should induce
them to collect together and attack
him; but as minute after minute
passed by and no sound but his OWL
footsteps broke the Stiffness, he be
gan to feel reassurel.
Five minutes passed quickly by
and then the trappcr paused sud-
denly. y low, tremulous wall was
waited 10y the wind to his listening
ear. 1t was the howl of a wolf;
three short. sharp barks followed.
and then all was silent once more
The silence lasted but a moment
The cry of the wolf was answered
and the trapper with still deeper
feeling of dread at his heart, hur
ried on.
Should he drop the antelope =
This question was uppermost in hi'
mind, and he had almost decided t'
drop his game, when the cry of the
first wolf was again heard; this
time 1T was answered from Il dozcl
different places. The antelope wa
dashed to the ground and the trap
per clutching his rifle closer, bound
ed forward with tremendous leaps
The wolves were gathering to
gether. He knew from the sound
behind him that they had scattere,
on the trail. 4 wolf is one of the
most cowardly creatures when alon
that can be found; but when the,
collect together in pack they vii
attack man with impunity.
This Cornelius Harden knew. bu
lie expected to reach the woodland
two miles away, before he could b
overtaken. The antelope woul
check them for a couple of minute
ut least. and in the time which wo'
elapsc before they could collect tc
gether in sufficient numbers TO max
them bold enough to attack hin
=, the woodland and safety might b
e reached.
On he went with the speed of
, racc-horsc. The flendish howls G
> the half starved animals reached hi
, ears and hurried his footsteps;
/. quarter of a mile nearer safety al
ready. The howls of the wolve
; suddenly ceased; they had rcachc
> the antelope. But short tim
:. passed before their howls annOun'
}, cd that they were again in pursuit
They came faster than ever; the
had tasted blood and were not ba
satisfied; every minute increase
their numbers, and their lowls q
rage grew louder and louder the
were gaining ground, and over
mile still lay between the trappe
/ and the woodland. Could he rcac
itf
On sped the trapper; his breatl
q, coming quick and hard, his hear
: beating like % triphammer, and hi
eyes glistening like those ofa bca'
. hunted down to death. A mile sti
. lay before him which must be &c
over ere he could hope for safct,
and the bowling pack behind hii
was drawing nearer, their wild eric