The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-04-28
John Gunn's Escape from Wolves.

Being cutler in the employ of Messrs.
McLaren d Co., on the Gatineau river,
set out on the morning of the goth of Feb
ruary, in company with two Indians, to as
certain if any trespasses had been commit
ted on limit owned by that firm. The
district is remarkable only for its noun
famous character, the range being called
Mont Diable, or Devils Mountain. took
my horse along with me so long as beat
en- track enabled me to do so, when | tied
him up and continued the journey on snow
shoes. We had gone only about miles
| when one of the Indians, very cunning
and experienced hunter solemnly warned
me to turn back as there were unmistaka-
BILE indications of wolves being in close
proximity, but Imade up my mind to keep
on my way, and my contempt for the pro-
| phetic words of the Indian came near cost
ing me dearly.
Approaching the foot of the mountain,
| beheld in full view, and only short dis
lance away on small eminence, a pack of
wolves, twenty-sevcn in number, deyour-
ing the remains Of q deer. The only re-
source for safety was retreat or to climb
tree, but on turning about found that the
two Indians had gone. saw to my re.
'oi'ei ihiiiooiatciy, anu ueleIIulncu 10 live
as long as could, and to sell my life as
dearly as possible.
began the retreat, however, with all
the haste that my physical powers were
capable of, but was soon alarmed Ivy hear
ing the bowling of the wolves in pursuit.
| have always prided myself OIL my fleet
ness of foot, as | lave seldom met my equal,
but in this race with wolves l lost ground
very fast. Iquickly realized that the at
tempt to escape was vain, for at the rate
of going could not hold out long, and
concluded to climb tree, and though it
took me but very few moments to reach
a convenient bough, was none too quick
for the pack was nigh on hand They
drew up in line about ten yards from the
tree, and, considering the opportunity
good one, commenced to blaze away at
them with deadly effect, no less than four
falling i'll answering to seven shots. This
destructive fire did not abate their fury in
the least and proceeded to draw my second
revolver, when, unfortunately, it caught
in twig and was ierked out of my hands
to the ground.
My buffalo coat had left in the cutter
and, being very thinly clad, began very
soon TO experience the effects of the cold
The wolves, believe, realized my helpless
ness, and became bold according. They
walked up to the foot of the tree, which
was very small one, and as they could not
reach me by lenping, they began to gnaw
it down. Taking out my knife cut the
longest limb | could reach, and leaving q
hook ON the end OF it l caught hold of
large cedar tree about ten feet off, and as
the wolves continued gnawing and my
perch got more and more unsteady, pull
ed on the pole and drew the tree over to-
ward the cedar. With desperate exer-
ton, and after several minutes of deep unx-
iety, | succeeded in gaining the cedar,
and took up safe position among the
branches.
The wolves uttered II 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. / vas about
striking out in pursuit when l esped the
two Indians, who were endeavoring to Sc.
cure two young moose, which they had got
into II kind Of crcvasse at the base of
high rock. | turned in with them, and
we succeeded in taking them alive and
unhurt. We carried them to Mr.. Valent's
shanty, where they will remain until we
can get them down to Ottawa The In
dians had courage enough to 60 back and
skin the wolves.