The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-06-05

) OF evil, which 1t appeared to me had
taken place without cause-though in
this respect | was greatly mistaken, rs
the sequel will show.
1--WE 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 series of long, plaintive
howls, at a considerable distance, and in
different directions, and which our ex-
perience 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 human being, yet in numbers and
pressed 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 large
trees stretched their huge branches over
a dense thicket when suddenly there
arose several loud. harsh, baying and
snarling sounds close at hand. The next
moment there was a 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 un7
eXpectadly that my wife gave a 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
shone in the darkness like so many Goals
of fire.
Fortunately her sudden fall startled
the wild animals a little; and as they
momeutarily drew back, she, with rare
presence of mind. at once gathered her
buffalo robe, which she had drag ged with
her, in such manner about her person
of their fangs. The next moment the
ferocious 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 a manner that | could not make
use of single weapon, and only by main
strength kept him from running away
with me.
1T was terrible moment of exciting
agony; ard the instant that | could re-
lease my feet from the stirrups leaped
to the ground with a yel-my rifle slim
ping from my hands, and dscharging 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 dear mother
OF my little ones lay fairly beneath three
or four OF the furlously lighting and
snarling wild beasts, grassped the
weapons, one IN eacn nana, cooked them
Mt the same instant, and falrly jumping
INTO the midst OF my enemies, paced the
muzzles against lle heaos OF Two tilat
nag turned 10 reno me- ana lireo them
outlI toSetLlei.
both shotS' tllank 900! TOOK eHect-
II coulG not ne otherWlse-and ~ tne
two wolves rolled howllng back IN their
a'T'tn agonles; their starving companions,
Smelling ana Settihg taste OF tneir
D!ooa; ana lhstlnctIvely comprehenalng
,i flint they were now lalily IN tlielr power,
,!l upon 'lieiii l:., Mitl lile % iiiosl lavtlous
l'''S', tli'' llt1Ilally y toic .iieili W pleceo'
ana deVoureo tllGm peiore my very eyes,
aiihoSt over Ile po9y ol Ill! vic, anu III
ieSS' 1 shou!u say, tii''n q minute OF tlme'
AS AsceLtalnlng tl oS iew ANXIOUS I: IN
qiirles liitt my vic was sun ailte any
u.liialilieu' paue lieI ieilialii quiet' nliu
picking up my rine, 4 proceeueu 10 l9au
al my weapons Will l'ie greatest ols-
pt'ch.
AS soon as | had rammed the first
ball home felt tempted to shoot another
OF the animals but at that moment l
heard distant howllng, and tearing we
should soon be beset by another pack,
! reserved my fire for the next extreme
danger ana nurrlediy loaded the Others;
by the TIME L had larry completed
tins operation our 1lrst assallants, having
nearly g9rged themselves upon their
more unfortunate companions, began to
SINK away but the cries or the others
az the same time growing nearer warned
me to be upon my guard;
:. had Just succeene9 IN getting my
wlle more securely Ioliea IN hgr pr9t1eGt-
ing rope--as tiie silesI llllh couiu 90
IN that eNtremity.an myself pistols IN
ihnu' IN ueiensive at'l.uae @ over her
nouy, Wleh s9iiie Iedto elSnC Vi .tn iliore 9l
the savage anu uesPela.9 creatures ihaue
their ia appearance upon .ine scene.
1heIc M.'e . ilioiiiS iiS ~: PauSe us
th9y caine mo 'itw ; anu ulscGoele1 a15 me
LouinT run H. TriI nn tei onois sud reo ihan it h
slloiie llke nHils Sonis u "itI .iiIii, WIN
terriac growis anu aanh s.I',,, ,ao+ oney pegn 10
naot6 inr tbe i9uu Suace hetween % cen us ' i''''io"