The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-07-26
Selett Sturp.
A NIGHT WITH WOLVES.

A number of years ago" said an old
settler, whom | met on my western tray
els, 81 took my family to Wisconsin, and
located myself in the woods, about ten miles
from the nearest settlement, and at least
tiye from the nearest neighbor The coun-
try round was mostly forest; aud wild
beasts aud Indians were so numerous that
my friends at the east, to whom | gave n
description Of my locality, expressed great
fears for our safety, aud 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 couple OF
years.
However, did not feel much alarmed
on my own account-and my wife was as
brave as hunter; but then we had three
children-the oldest ouly tcn--and some
times, when | was away from home, the
sudden growl of bear, the howl of
wolf, or the scream of panther would
make me think Of them, aud feel quite un.
easy.
"For while, at first, the night-screech-
ing aud bowling Of these wild animals
alarmed the children good deal-and
sometimes my wife aud me especially
when we mistook the cry of a panther for
an Indian yell; but We soon got used to
the different sounds, and then did not mind
them so much; aud after 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 be an abode for them.
Besides, | now and then shot one, which
thinued them little, and probably fright
encd the others, for they gradually became
less bold aud annoying
"During the first year | had two rather
narrow eseapes-ocne from bear, aud
once from a panther; but the most re-
markable adventure OF all was the one
which happened during the second winter,
and which 1 have always designated as a
"Night with the Wolves"
"0ne bitter cold morning--thc ground
being deeply covered with snow so crustsd
and frozen that no feet could sink into il
Il brought out the horse for my wife to
ride to c., the nearest settlement,
where she had some purchases to make,
which she wished to attend to herself
Besides being well mriiled up in her own
clothing, | wrapped large buffalo robe
around her; aud admonishing her that
the woods were full Of danger after dark,
| urged her to be sure and get back before
sunset, which she promised to do
"All day long, after her departure, from
some cause for which could not account,
felt very much depressed and uneasy, as
if something evil were going to happeu
and when saw the sun about half an
hour high, and no signs of my wife re-
turning, | got out my pistols, rifle, ammu-
nition and hunting.kniic, saddled young
and rather skittish colt, aud bidding 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.p But at every turn
| was doomed to disappointment; and when
| had put mile after mile behind me, with
out seeing any signs Of her, became more
and more alarmed, and dashed on still
faster.
alt was Just about dark when | saw the
lights Of c. cleaning iu the distance;
but before | reached the town l met my
wife hasteuing homeward-she having
been unexpectedly detained by meeting an
old acquaintance, who had recently come
on from the eastward, and with whom she
had remained TO gather the news and take
supper--the time passing away so quickly
as to render her belated before she was
aware Of it.
Il was greatly rejoieed to find her safc
and unharmed-but not little puzzled on
account Of my presentment of evil, which
it appeared to me had taken place without
eause--though in this respect | was great
ly mistaken, as the sequel will show.
awe now set of ut 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 series of long, plaintive howls, at a
considerable distance, and in different d.
reclions, and which our experience told us
we're wolves, seemingly calling and an-
swering each other through the great for
est
"Tho wolves of this region were of the
larger AMI ferccr species; and though or
dinariIy and singly they might not attack
a human being, yet in numbers and press
ed by hunger, as they generally were at
this season Of the year, by no means felt
certain that We should not be molested.
Accordingly we quickened the pace Of |
our horses and as we hurried on | grew
every moment more uneasy and alarmed
as | noticed that many Of the sounds
gradually approached us. We had just
entered deep hollow, where few
laree trees stretched their huge branches
over dense thickct, when suddenly
there arose several loud, harsh, bay
ing aud snarling sounds close at hand.
The next moment there was quick rust
ling and crashing among the bushes; and
then some six or eight large wolves--lcan,
gnunt and maddened with hunger sprung
into the path close beside us
"This happened 50 suddenly and unex-
pcctedly that my wieseavc slight scream
and dropped her rein; and the horse, rear
irg and plunging at the same moment,
unscated her; aud she fell to the ground,
right in the very midst Of the savage
beasts, whose glaring eyes ahcne IN the