Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26
THRILLING ADVENTURE.
| Night with Wolves in the
Rocky Mountains.
Encounter with a Panther
The Death Strugsle-DIi-
raculOus Escape.

1t was near the foot of the Rocky
Mountains, just after you cross the great
American desert snd enter upon the mar
row belt of fertile land which lines the
footssof the mountains. We had encamp
ed as early as two O'Clock in the day, in
order to let our animals rest and feed; for
we had been travelling hard all the week,
and this was Saturday, and we intended
remaining here until Monday.
The spot was wild, picturesque and
beautiful; and was upon a small tributary
of the South Fork of Platte river. We
pitched our tent in bunch of stunted &C.
daTs, that served 10 keep off the burning
rays of June sun.
Having eaten my dinner of dried buff
falO meat, smoked my pipe, and filed my
knapsack with tobacco, matches, and
some other necessaries that always car
ried, so as to be provided for in case of
emergency, threw my bullet pouch over
my shoulder, buckled on my belt contain
ing my rusty knife, and taking my refie
in my Land, sauntered away alone, up
the little stream, leaving my companions
lounging and smoking urder the trees.
had walked perhaps more than three
miles, when a beautiful herd of fine ante
lopes sprang up from under a bank,
where they had been drinking, and bound
ed away over the prairie towards the
bluffs. l watched them until they dis
appeared behind a small rise, and then
followed.
a walk of nearly two miles brought
me to the top of the ridge; and crawling
up on my hands and knees, l discovered
them quietly feeding in the valley at the
edge of the wood, distance of a mile
away. Lying behind huge rock which
here pIotruded itself, | drew forth piece
of red flannel from my knapsack, and
fastening it to my ramrod, waved it
over my head. The timid little animals
were not long in discovering ii; and after
gazing few moments they started with
the fleetness of the wind directly toward
me.
Sticking the ramrod in the ground, l
cooked my gun and quietly awaited their
approach. They boldly advanced, the
leader coming up within sixty yards, and
turning half around to see if his compan-
Ms were following, thus exposing his
side 10 me. fired, ana had the satisfac-
ton of seeing the animal fall, while his
companions daTted away and disappeared
in the woods.
The sun was already sinking below the
mountains, whose shadows threw a gloom
over the prairie. and it must soon be dark.
was five miles from camp, weary and
hungry from my long tramp; and, besides,
wished to go up the valley little iarther
in the morning. So 1 decided to remain
where / was. l threw the deer across
my shoulders, and walked to the foot of
the hill, where little stream trickled
along in the grass, and some brush and
clump Of trees afforded wood. Here l
resolved 10 make my fire.
By the time had finished my supper
of delicious steak, and drank myfill from
the little brook, and seated myself for
smoke it was fully dark; and the bowling
OF the wolves in the distance, the gloomy
shadows of the dark forest beyond the
stream, the sighingof the wood-all con-
spired to make me feel gloomy and lone
ly.
The bowling of the wolves began to
grow more frequent and more distinct;
aud l began to feel a little uneasy as l
smoked my meerschsm, ard gazed into
the fire, when Thought of the fresh meat
that was near, knowing that it would
draw them hither.
| was uneasy, although l had slept
many times upon the prairie when the
wolves were prowliDg around, and felt
unconcernel; yet had never seen such
an immense number gather in so short
time, and l was fearful lest their hunger
might tempt them to attack me. 1t is
true | was in no immedia danger, as
there was clump of trees shOrs dis
lance off, and by climbing one of these
could easily get out of their reach; but
disdained to climb a tree for them, and
knew if did, that they would gather
around and keep me up the tree all night
at least.
Meanwhile the hungry beasts began to
sppIOach the campfire, snuffing, howl
ing and sometimes fighting, and trotting
around in circle just outside the light.
grew more uneasy, and rose to my feet
and grasped my life, as one more bold
than the rest advanced within the fire
light towards the dead antelope, swapping
his teeth, his eyes cleaning like balls of
fire. He retreated ms antly in the gloom
but did not emain long before he return
ed: and this time l fired at him, more to
frighten them than anything else; but
crippled him SO severely that he could
only drag himself out of the fre-light,
where he was pounced upon by his hun
CRY comrades and devOured.
l had little fear of them as long as my
fire kept bright; but soon it began to go
down, and it was impossible for me to go
after any more wood, as l knew well
enough they would attack me as soon as
/ stepped outside the light.
l begun now to feel that my situation
was no enviabe one, and 10 wish that |
bad awaited myself of he opportunity to
get into the trees while the wolves were