Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-02-23
"REMINISCENCES OF AN ENGINEER.
A Wolf Chase.

We were engaged for some weeks
after the incidents mentioned, finishing
our cross sectioning," and just as our
work was completed, We received in
structions from headquarters, to con-
time our survey from point about
thirty miles distant, and one fine morn
ing our wagons drove up to the farm
house, were quickly loaded with bag
gage and instruments, and away we
started Pete and myself availed our
selves of two saddle horses which were
hired for special service, and after pro-
viding ourselves with sandwiches, etc,
we trotted leisurely ahead of the wagons
and made bee line across country, for
our destination.
We had an unbroken stretch of
ignorant of the country we had to pass
through, but depended upon ourpocket
compass to make matters right. An
old country "Coolien dog named
"Scottie insisted upon accompanying
us, he not paying the least heed to our
orders to ego homen We rode on for
several miles through cornfelds, creeks
and sloughs, habitations being few
and far between :" the prairie spread
ing out before rs, green and level as a
billiard table. ] was enjoying to the
utmost the pleasant breeze and sun
shine, and The peculiar satisfaction of
riding "cross country" on a horse,
whose ambition increased at every
stride, when suddenly, l was startled
with, "Look there, Charley, there goes
wolf After him, Scottie !" One
glance was enough; the next moment
with a simultaneous shout we were in hot
pursuit. The horses seemed to share our
excitement and we soon had to hold
them in, for we closed up rapidly with
dog and wolf, and although they both
travelled" l Judge we conld have
overtaken them, but we preferred to
see the sport. Scottie had evidently
seen prairie wolves before, but this be-
ing large one and very savage, Scot
tie wisely kept just out of reach OF the
sidelong snaps the wolf made every
now and then at him. There was
fine display of formidable teeth, and
neither animal seemed inclined to
throw away chance Suddenly the
dog, in response to our cry, ''Seize
him, Scottie, made a rush, and with
a sharp bark seized the wolf by the leg,
and over they rolled. They were on
their feet in a moment, Scottie having
the wolf by the throat, and both fight
ing for dear life. Scottie held on with
wonderful tenacitv, maintaining his ad-
vantage without the least noise, al
though ! saw that he had lost half his
left ear in the battle.
The horses would not approach near
er, so we dismount, d, and Pete endea-
vored to get shot at the wolf with
revolver. AT this moment, by a des-
perate effort, the wolf threw the dog,
and Pete, unable longer to restrain him
SELF fired, and missed. They were 80
mixed up that Pete's shot was danger
GUS alike to friend and enemy; the re-
port startled both animals, and the
wolf, taking advantage of the moment,
darted away in new direction, and
away we went after him. had snatch
ed the revolver from Pete and fred sew
eral times to no effect, when the wolf
suddenly disappeared as if the earth
had swallowed him. Scottie went up
to the spot, and dismounting, we found
a hole about foot in diameter, down
which he had vanished He had found
secure refuge; so having fairly run
him to earth, - we left him, with many
kind wishes for his future safety
Scottie, evidently cherishing q grudge
against the uncivilzed relative who
had deprived him Of half his ear, very
reluctantly followed US.
We had deviated about half q mile
from our course, bat soon reached the
timber belt that had looked like little
cloud on the horizon an hour previous
~. On emerging from the timber we
came unexpectedly upon a perfect para
disc for pic-nics; il was'a natural
avenue over a mile long, with maple,
oak and hickory trees, Of a larger
growth than is usually met with in that
part OF the country, on either side. the
clear space being about three hundred
Yards wide for the eutire length of the
valley, a small stream running in the
center as far rs we could see. II was a
landscape gem OF natures own painting.
We found a cottage almost hidden by
the foliage OF grand old naples. and
here we had q homelv but substantial
dinner and led the horses, and after
wards made the remaining distance in
about an hour
Our new location was n farmhouse
situated upon Enol and sur
rounded by trees. The farm was
extensive aud well cultivated. and
after putting ~ our ho,ses we were in
vlted by oar new host. Mr.. Brady. 70
have look round and help min exter-
mlrete some rabbits, which were Just
then very plentiful and destructive so
viii @ gun ap-eee and two dogs, We