Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-20

4 WONDERFUL WOLF STORY.

The Ottawa Free Press of Monday
,,,ints the following account of an adven-
inre by Mr.. John A. Gum, in the town
ship OF Blake, Quebec:
..Being cutler in the employ of Messrs.
McLaren & Co., on the Gatineau River,
set out on the morning of the 29th of
February, in company with two Indians,
to ascertain if any trespasses had been
committed on limit owned by that firm,
the said limit being northeast of the Gait
neau River, and running parallel with
the Duievre. The district is remarkable
only for its mountainous character, the
range being called Mont Diable, or Devils
Mountain. l took my horse along with
me so long as beaten track enabled me
TO do so, when l tied him up, and con-
tinued the Journey on snow-shoes. we
had gone only about four miles when one
of the Indians, very cunning and eX-
perienced hunter, solemnly warned me to
turn back, as there were unmistakabe In
dications of wolves being in close prox-
imity; but, not needing the voice OF the
dusky son of the forest, | made up my
mind to keep on my way, as it is princi-
ple of mine never to look back until my
work is accomplished. On the present
occasion, however, my contempt for the
prophetic words of the Indian came near
costing me dearly. Approaching the foot
of the mountain, | beheld full in view,
and only short distance away on small
eminence, pack of wolves, twenty-seven
in number, devouring the remains of a
deer. This was rather an unpleasant
position to he left in, and the only re-
course for safety was retreat or to climb a
tree. The former | decided on without
much delay, but on turning about | found
that the two Indians had gone.
saw to my revolvers as my best
friends Immediately, and found all right.
determined to live as long as could and
to sell my life as dearly as possible. /
began to retreat, however. with all the
haste that my physical powers were capa-
BILE of. but was soon alarmed by hearing
the bowling of the wolves in pursuit. l
have always prided myself on my fleet
ness of foot, as l have seldom met my
equal, but in this race with wolves | lost
ground very fast. quickly realized that
the attempt to escape was vain, for at the
rate of going could not hold out long,
and therefore, believing that prudence
was the better part of valor.' l concluded
to climb tree, and though it took me but
q few moments to reach convenient
bough, / was none too quick, for the pack
was nigh on hand, anxious tor fresh
dish after disposing of the deer They
drew up in line, about ten yards from the
tree, and considering the opportunity a
good one, commenced to blaze away at
them, with deadly effect, no less than four
falling in answer to seven shots. This
destructive fire did not abate their fury in
the least, and proceeded to draw my sec
ond revolver, when unfortunately, 1t
caught in a ,wig and was ierhed out of my
hand 10 the ground. | now felt my pre-
dicament worse one than ever, fearing
that they would remain and starve me out.
or until should become benumbed with
the cold and fall an easy prey to the raw
enous pack. My buffalo coat | had lett in
the cutter, and, being very thinly clad, |
began very soon to experience the effects
of the cold. The wolves, | believe, real
lied my helplessness, and became bold
accordingly. They walked up TO the foot
of the tree, which was very small one,
and as they could not reach me by leap
ing, they began to gnaw it down.
had been In many tight place before,
in whale-fshing and other perilous posi-
tions, and flatter myself have never been
much of a coward but on the present &C.
casion, with a hungry pack OF wolves
methodically at work, one after the other.
gnawing away the tree on which | had
taken refuge, | began to feel loose about
the jaws, and my spirits went down to forty
five Fahrenheit However, an idea oc-
Cured to me; | decided upon plan.
Taking out my knife | cut the longest
limb could reach, and leaving a hook on
the end of it caught hold of large cedar
tree about ten feet off, and as the wolves
continued gnawing and my perch got
more and more unsteady, pulled on the
pole and drew the tree over toward the
cedar. With desperate exertion, and
after several minutes of deep anxiety. |
succeeded in gaining the cedar, and took
up safe position among the branches.
The wolves uttered fierce howl and took
their departure. but did not venture to
descend from my perch until the last sound
from them was family heard from the dis
tant hills. On reaching the place where |
had left my horse found that he had got
frightened and had gone. | was about
striking out in pursuit when l espied the
two Indians, who were endeavorng to Sc
cure two young moose, which they had
got into kind of creyasse at the base of
high rock. turned in with them, and we
succeeded in taking them alive and un-
hurt We carried them to Mr.. Nalent's
shanty. where they will remain until we
can get them down to Ottawa. The In
dams had courage enough to 90 back and
skin the wolves. | hope to take the skins
to Ottawa about the 18th inst. My horse
found at the jobber's shanty, about seven
miles distant y