Richland beacon., 1876-04-29
John Gunn's Escape From
Wolves.
Thrilling Adventure on Devil kountai

Otawa Free Press: Being cutler in the
employ of Messrs, McLaren Il Co, on the
Gatineau r.ver, set out on the morning Of
the 29ih February, in company with two In
dIsn. TO ascertain of any respssses had been
committed Oh a limit owned by that firm.
The district is remarkable only Gor its noun.
famous character, the range being called
Mont Diabie, or Devils Mountain. took
my horse along with me 90 long as . heaten
track enabled me 10 do 80, when | tied him
up and continued the journey on snow shoes.
We had gone only about four miles when one
Of the Indians, very cunning and experi
enced hunter, solemnly warned me to turn
back, as there were uninisrakable indications
Of wolves being in close proximity, but
made up my mind 10 keep on my way, and
contempt for the prophetic words Of the In.
dian came near costing me dearly.
Approaching the foot Of the mountain,
beheld in full view, and only . .hor, distance
away on a small eninence, = pack Of wolves,
twenty.seven in number, devonring the re.
mains OF deer. The only resource tor safe.
ty was reirea, VI to climb tree, but On turn.
ing about found iha, the two Indians had
gone. ! saw to my revolver Immediately,
!
TO sell my lite as dearly as possible.
began the retreat, however, with all the
haste that my physical powers were capable
OF, out was soon alarmed by hearing the
howling Of the wolves in pursuit ] have
always pridcd myself on my fec,nes, Of foot.
as have seldom met my equal, hut 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 ncluded 10 climb tree,
and though it took me but a very few mo-
menis to reach convenient 5nugt, | 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 - blaze away al
them with deadly effect, no less than four
falling in answer to sever shots. This
destructive fire did not abaie their fury in the
least, and ! proceeded to draw my second
revolver, when, unfortunately, it caught in q
,wig and was lerked out Of my hand 10 the
ground.
My buffalo coat had left in the cutter, and,
being very ,hiny clad, ! began very soon to
experience the effects Of the cold The
wolves, believe, realized my helpIessness,
and became bold accordingly. They walked
up 10 the foot Of the tree, which was . very
small one, and as they could no, reach me BY
leaping, they began TO gnaw it down. Taking
out my knife cut the longest limb could
reach, and leaving hook ON the end of it
caught hold Of a large cedar tree about ten
feet of, and As the wolves continued gnaw.
ing and my perch 20, more and more un.
steady, ! pulled in the pole and drew the
tree over toward the cedar. With q desp.r.
ate exertion, and afer several minutes of
deep anxi"ty, l succeeded in gaining the
cedar, and took up a safe position among the
branches.
The welves uttered a fierce howl and took
their departure, but did not venture 70
descend from my perch uniil the last sound
from them was family heard from the distant
hills. On reaching the place where ! had
left my horse found that he had go, frigh,en.
ed and gone. ! was about striking out in
pursuit when e.pied the two Indians. who
were endeavoring TO secure two young moose,
which they had 90, into a kind OF crevasse
1t the base Of a high rock. turned in with
them, and We succreded in taking them alive
and unhurt We carried them to Mr..
Nalents shau,y, where they will remain until
we car bring them down to Ottawa The In
dians had courage enough to 20 back and skin
the volyes