The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-30
A NIGHT WITH WOLVES.

A NUMBER OF years ago." said an old
settler, whom I met on my western
travels, 81 took my family to Wisconsin,
md located myself in the woods, about
ten miles from the nearest settlement, and
at least five from the nearest neighbor.
The country round was mostly forest; and
wild beasts and Indians were so numer-
Gus, that my friends at the east, to whom
l gave desert ption Of my locality, ex-
pressed great fears for our safety, and
said they should be less surprised to learn
OF our having all been cut off than to hear
of our still being alive out there at the
end of a couple of years.
However, 1 did not feel much alarmed
on my own account my wife was as
brave as hunter; but then we had three
caildren-the oldest only ten-and some
times, when I was away from home, the
sudden growl of a bear, the howl of a
wolf, or the scream Of panther would
make me think of them, and feel quite
uneasy.
'For while, at first, the night-screech-
ing and bowling of these wild animals
alarmed the children good deal-and
sometimes my wife and unexpectedly
when we mlstook the cry of the panther
for an Indian yell; but we soon cot used
to the different sounds, and then did not
mind them SO much; and after I had got
a few acres cleared around the dwelling,
they generally kept more distant at night
just as If they comprehended that the
place, now in the possession of their
enemies, was no longer to lie an abode for
them. Besides, I now and then shot one,
which thinned them a little, and probably
frightened the others, for they gradually
became less bold and annoying. 9ssl ~
During the first year had two rather
narrow escapes from a bear, and
once from a panther; but the most re-
markable adventure of all was the one
which happened during the second win
ter, and which have always designated
as a Might with the Wolves
Gone bitter cold morning the ground
being deeply covered with snow, so
crusted ana frozen that no feet could sink
into i'll brought out the horse for nv
wife to ride to c., the nearest settle
ment, where she had some purchases to
make, which she wished to attend to her
self. Besides being we'll muffled up in
her own clothing, I wrapped a large buff
talo robe around her; and admonishing
her that the woods were full of danger
after dark, urged her to be sure and got
back before sunset, which she promised
to do. Et'tT ~u"EE #1n Sd
s'All day long, after her departure, from
some cause for which could not account,
! felt very much depressed and uneasy, as
It something evil were going to happen;
and when. / saw the sun about half an
hour high, and no signs of my wife re.
turning, l got out my pistols, rifle, am
munition and hunting.knifc, saddled a
young and rather skittish colt, and bid
ding the children keep within doors, and
the house safely locked, mounted and
rode of to meet her, which expected to
do at every turn Of the horse-path. But
at every turn I was doomed to disap-
pointment; and when I had put mile af-
ter mile behind me, without seeing any
signs of her, became more and more
alarmed, and dashed on still faster.
]. IT was just about dark when saw the
lights Of G. - cleaning in the distance;
but before reached the town / met my
wife Fastening homeward she having
been unexpectedly detained by meeting
an old acquaintance, who had recently
come on from the eastward, and with