The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-06-19

the sequel will show.
I'VE now set off at brisk trot home
ward--through dense, dark, gloomy
wood, which lined our way on either
side-and had safely proceeded about
five miles, when we were somewhat
startled by n series of long, plaintive
howls, at a considerable distance, and in
different directions, and which our ex-
pericnce told us were wolves, seemingly
calling and answering each other through
the great forest.
The wolves Of this region were OF
the larger and fiercer species; and though
ordinarily and singly they might not at.
tack n human being, yet in numbers and
pressed by hunger, as they generally were
ut this season of the year, I by no means
felt certain that we should not be
molestcd.
Accordingly we quickened the pace
of our horses and rs we hurried on grew
every moment more uneasy and alarmed
as I noticed that many of the sounds
gradually approached us. We had just
entered Il deep hollow, where few large
trees stretched heir huge branches over
dense thicket, when suddenly there
arose several loud. harsh, baying and
snarling sounds close ut hand. The next
moment there was quick rustling and
thrashing among the bushes; and then
some six or eight large wolves-lean,
gaunt and maddened with hunger
Sprung into the path close beside US.
This happened so suddenly and un-
expectedly that my wife gave slight
scream and dropped her rein; and the
horse, rearing and plunging at the same
moment. unseated her; and she fell to
the ground, right in the very midst of
the savage beasts, whose glaring eyes
slone in the darkness like so many Goals
of fire.
Fortunately her sudden fall startled
the wild animals q little; and as they
momeutarily drew back, she, with rare
presence of mind. at once gathered her
buffalo robe, which she had dragged with
her, in such manner about her person
as to protect herself from the first onset
of their fangs. The next moment tho
fcrocious animals, with the most savage
growls, sprung at her, at me, and at the
two horses simultaneously. Hers at
once shook himself clear of his foes and
fled; and mine began to rear and plunge
in such 4 manner that / could not make
use of single weapon, and only by main
strength kept him from running away
with me.
"Itwas terrible moment of exciting
agony; ard the instant that l could re-
lease my feet from the stirrups | leaped
to the ground with a yell-my rifle Slip
ping from my hands, and discharging it
self by the conclusion, and my steed
rushing like lightning after his flying
companion over the frozen snow.
Luckily, had my loaded pistols and
my knife convenient to my grasp; and
scarcely conscious of what was doing,
but thinking only that the deal mother
Of my little ones lay fairly beneath three
or four of the ftTiously fighting and
WsSG one @ ia sssIz sarn and gTSaaSr cocEe 5c I'm
ut the same instant, and fairly jumping
into the midst of my enemies, placed the
muzzles against the heads Of two that
had turned to rend me, and fired them
both together.
Both shots. thank God took effect
il could not be otherwise-and rs the
two wolves rolled bowling back in their
death agonies, their starving companions,
smelling ard getting taSic o. their
blood. and i.lSlinctively comprehendlng
that they were now fairly in their power,
fell upon them with the most ravcnouS
fury, and literally tore them to pieces,
and devoured them before lay very eyes,
almost over the body of my wife, and in
less, should say, than q minute Of time.
Ascertaining by Il few anxious in
uuiries that my wife was still alive and
unharmed, badeMer remain quiet, and,
picking up my rifle, I proceeded to load
all my weapons with the greatest dis
patch.
LAS soon rs l had rammed the first
hall home I felt tempted to shoot another
of the animals; but at that moment [
heard a distant bowling, and fearing we
should soon be beset by ano6her pack,
| reserved my fire for the next extreme
danger and hurriedly loaded the Others.
by the time / had fairly completed
this operation our first assailants, having
nearly gorged themselves upon their
more unfortunate companions, began to
sink away; but the cries Of the Others
a. the same time growing nearer, warned
me to be upon my guard.
Il had Just succeeded in getting my
wife more securely rolled in her protect
ing robe-as the safest thing 1 could do
in that extremity-and myself, pistols in
hand, in a defensive attitude over her
body, when some eight or ten more of
the savage and desperate creatures made
their appearance upon the scene.
There was momentary pause as
they came into view and discovered me
during which their eyes glared and
shone like living GOALS and then, with
terrific growls and snarls, they began to
circle round me, each moment narrow
ing the space between US.
Suddenly one more daring OF hungry
than the others bounded forward and
received a shot from one of my pistols
directly between the eyes, and as he
rolled back upon the snow part Of the
Others sprang upon him, as in the case
of the first.
but I had no time to congratulate
myself that l had disposed of him; for
almost at the same instant felt the lac
Grating fangs of another in my thigh,
which caused me to shrek with pain :;
and nv poor wife, with IN answering
shrek, believing it was all over with
mo. was about to get up and face the
worst, when, shouting to her not to
stir, that I was still safe, placed my
pistol against the head of my assailant,
and stretched him quivering on the
snow also.
Il still had my rifle in reserve; and
pointing that at the fighting pack, l
poured its contents among them. How
many were wounded 1 do not know !:
but almost immediately the space around
us became once more cleared of our
howling enemies-some limping as they
fed. and appearing to be harTassed by
the others.
Again it appeared to me we had
met with wonderful deliverance; and
though the wound in MY thigh was
somewhat painful, 4 brief examination