Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-08-30

ward-thr0ugl dense, dark, gloomy
wood, which lined our way on either
side--.and had safely proceeded about
five miles, when awo were somewhat
startled by series of long, plaintiff
bowls, at considerable distance, and
in different directions, and which our
experience told us were wolves, SEEM
ingly calling and answering each other
through the great forest.
The wolves of this region were of tho
larger and iicrccr species; and though
ordinarily and singly they might not at
tack a human being, yet in numbers and
pressed by hunger, as they generally
were mt this season of the year, by no
means felt certain that we would not be
molcstcd.
Accordingly we quickcned the pace of
our horses, and M we hurried on grew
every moment more uneasy and alarmed
IA noticed that many Of the sounds
gradually approached us. We had just
entered deep hollow, where few large
trees stretched their huge branches over
n dense thicket, when suddenly there
arose several loud, harsh, baying and
snaring sounds close at hand. The next
moment there was quick rustling and
thrashng among the bushes, and some
six or eight large wolvcs--lean, gaunt
and maddcncd with hunger-sprung into
the path close beside us.
This happened so suddenly and uncx-
pcctcdly that my wife gave u slight
scream and dropped her rein; and the
horse, rearing and plnnging at the same
moment unscated her; and she fell to
the ground, right in the very midst of
the savage beasts, whose glazing eyes
shonc in the darkness like SO many Goals
of fire.
Fortunately her sudden fall startled
tho wild animals little; and as they
momcntarily 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 tho
first onset Of their fangs. Tho next mo-
mcnt the ferocious animals, with the
most savage growls, sprung Mt her, at
me, and the two horses simultaneously
Hers at once shot himself clear of his
foes and hrd; and mine began to rear
and plunge in such n manner that |
could not make use Of u single weapon,
and only by main strength kept him
from running away with me.
1t was terrible moment of exciting
agony, and the instant that | could re-
lease my feet from the stirrups | lcapcd
to the ground with a ycll-my rifle slip
ping from my hands and dischargng it.
SELF by the eoncussion, and my stecd
rushing like lightning after his flying
companion over the frozen snow.
Luckily, ! had my loaded pistol and
my knife convenient to my grasp; and
scarcely conscious Of what was doing,
but thinking only that the dear mother
of my little ones lay fairly beneath three
or four of the flliously fighting and
snarling wild beasts graspcd the wcnp-
ons, os9 in each hand, cooked them at
the same instant, and fairly jumping
into tho midst ofmy enemies, placed the
muzzcs against the heads of two that
had turned to rend me, and fired them
both together
Both shots, thank God took effect
it could not he othcrwisc-a as the
two wolves rolled bowling back in their
death agonics, their starving compan-
ians, smelling and getting taste OF
their blood, and instinctively compre-
hcnding that they were now fairly in
their power, fell upon them with
tho most ravcnous fury, and literally
tore them to pieces, and devsured them
before my very eyes, almost over the
body of my wife, and in less than n min
uto of time.
Asccrtaining by a few anxious inqui-
RIGS that my wife was still alive and UNI
harmed, babe her remain quiet, and
picking up my rifle, proceeded to load
all my weapons with tho greatest dis.
patch.
As soon as had rammed the first ball
home felt tempted to shoot another OF
the brutes, but at that moment | heard
a distant bowling, and fearing that we
should soon be besct by another pack, |
reserved my fire for the next extreme
danger and hurriedy loaded the others.
BY the time | had fairly completed
this operation our first assailants, hay
ing gorgcd themselves upon their more
unfortunate companions, began to stink
away, but the cries of the others at the
same time growing nearer, warned me
to be upon my guard.
! had just succeeded in getting my
wife more securely rolled in her protect
ing robe--as the safest thing | could do
i'll that cxtrcmity-and myself, pistols
III hand, in 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 a momentary pause as they
came into view and discovered mc--lu-
ring which their eyes glarcd and shone
like living coals--and then with terrific
growls and snarls, they began to circle
round me, each moment narrowing the