Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-10-18
A Marrow Escape.

During the winter OF 5000, 'no
writer was connected with the Unit
Cd states survey company, engaged
in re-marking and stalking the inter-
national line between the upper
British provinces and land belonging
"a the United States, near the Ked
River OF the ncrth; on territory
known at that time as Northern
Minnesota. II was here that the ioi-
lowing adventure, which ! am about
to relate, occurred:
A company of three OF US han
been sent by the chief to explore
medium sized lake, through when
the international survey line ran.
Our business was TO ascertain now
much of the lake lay within Uncle
Sans limits.
We left camp about two o'clock IN
the afternoon, and after a weary
tramp OF five miles through forest
our way obstructed by logs and I'M
derbrush, we arrived on the shores
Of the lake. 1t was dismal place.
No habItations were near. Nothing
met the eye but the level stretch OF
ice upon the surface of the lake, and
4 wilderness of tall pines, spruce aud
birch, surrounding ii on all sides.
Some time was consumed in find.
ing the marks left by former sur
veying company, and ascertalning
the course marked out across the
lake. But at length this was accom-
plished, and VIC prepared to start for
the camp, being at the lower end OF
the lake; or the point farthest from
camp. One Of my companions,
whom ] shall call leighton, had
brought his skates. ! never left
camp without mine, not knowing
how many weary steps they might
save me, for the country was nearly
one-third swamps and small lakes.
But the third man had no skates.
He was good-natured, rollicking
Irishman by the name Of Jimmy
Mcclure, and was what is technical
~ known as an AK man; that Is TO
say il was his duty to DO always pro-
vided with an ak, for the purpose OF
blazing trees, cutting poles, stakes,
etc.
Jimmy had no skates, so after
strapping ours on 1t was agreed that
he should stand before us with his
feet little forward, and braced for
sliding, so that we could push him
along as we skated across tho four or
five miles OF ice that covered the
surface OF tho lake.
IL was coming on night, or twi-
light, as we started of, but q full
moon was rising and we did not
mind 1t, as we had just finished a
hearty lunch Of cold ham and bread
that we had brought from camp with
us. 1t was easy enough for us TO at
tain a high rate OF speed, and the
Irishman undoubtedly had never
had such q slide before. The rate OF
speed at which we pushed him along
almost made his boots smoke.
In less than fifteen minutes we APP
preached the other shore, and here
we slackened pace. Just then we
saw some kind of animals darting
out and In among the underbrush,
like lot OF dogs at play.
We stopped abruptly, almost pull
Ing Jimmy over backwards, and
proceeded to look more carefully. Ii
was but q moment or two, and we
ascertained the secret Of the mystery,
for six large timber wolves presently
came out OF the cover OF brush. Five
OF them raised their long noses and
gave vent TO the long, blood-curd-
ling howl, with which all frontiers
men are familiar.
"Howly father, we shall be aiten!"
breathed Jimmy.
II certainly looked MS If his fears
would be realized, for the wolves
were apparently very hungry, and
we noticed, with feeling of terror,
that they intended to attack US on
the ice.
"No time 10 be lost, Colonel
said Leighton, cxcltedly. I'VE |
must put back across the lake and
go around them.n
Hastily getting Jimmy before us,
we turned and shot Off with arrow.
like speed. But tho wolves at once
took to the Ice and gave swift chase.
They slipped considerably at first,
but after getting under fall Roadway
hey made long, rapid bounds, and
,ained on MS every moment. Be-
ides Jimmy impeded our progress
very much. Still, we strained every
nerve, contested every inch. A few
minutes more showed that some new
levice mus. be attempted, or they
would attack US. We could distinct
y hear their short, painting breath,
md the swift patter Of their feet.
"Coione!, we must dodge" said
as he gave quick glance
'ver his shoulder. ''They are right ,
Ipon u.s."
"AI! ready" / exclaimed. Snow
o the right!r
And as spoke, we made a quick,
hort curve. The resul. was more
han we expected. The wolves, OF
curse could not stop at once, but
vent sliding by Us on their launches
ne Of them so near as to snap at my
egs. But in turning too short we up
nj. ssfe n 1