Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-03
A NIGHT WITH THE WOLVES

"A number of years ago" said an old
settler. whom | met on my Western
travels, took my family to Wisconsin.
and located myself in the woods. about
ten miles from the nearest settlement.
and at least five from the nearest neigh
bor. The country round was mostly
forest; and wild beasts and Indians
were so numerous, that my friends at
the East, to whom gave description of
my locality. expressed great fears for our
safety, and said they should be less sur
prised to learn of our having all been cut
of than to hear. OF our still being alive
out there ut the end of couple of years.
However, | did not feel much
alarmed on my own account-and my
wife was as brave as n hunter; but then
We had three children-thc Oldest only
ten-and sometimes. when | was away
from home. the sudden growl of bear
the howl of wolf. or the scream of n
panther would make me think Of them.
and feel quite uneasy.
For a while. at first. the night
scrceching and bowling of these wild
animals alarmed the children good
deal-and sometimes my wife and me
especially when we mistook the cry ofthc
panther for an Indian yell; but we soon
got used to the different sounds. and
then did not mind them so much: and
after | had got few acres cleared
around the dwelling, they generally
kept more distant at night-iust as If
they comprehended that the place. now
in the possession of their enemies, WAS
no longer to be an abode for them. Be
sides. now and then shot one. which
thinned them a little, and probably
frightened the others, for they gradually
became less bold aud annoying.
During the first year | had two
rather narrow escapes once from a
bear. and once from panther; but the
most remarkable adventure of all was
the one whi5h happened during the
second winter, and which | have always
designated as Night with the Wolves. :
"One bitter cold morning-the ground
being deeply covered with snow. SO
erusted and + Oxen that no feet could
sink into it-I brought out the horse for
my wife to ride to C, the nearest
settlement. where she had some pur-
eiIases to make. which she wished to
attend to herself Besides being well
muflled up in her own clothing. I
wrapped large buffalo robe around
her; and admonishing her that the
woods were full Of danger after dark, |
urged her Ia 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 happen; and when / saw the sun
about half an hour high. and no signs of
my wife returning. got out my pistols.
rifle, ammunition and hunting-knife.
saddled young and rather skittish colt.
and bidding the children keep within
doors. and the house safely locked.
mounted and rode of to meet her, which
! expected 10 do at every turn of the
horse-path. But Mt every turn I was
doomed 10 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.
1t was Just about dark when saw
the lights Of c. cleaning in the dis
tance: but before | reached the town I
met my wife Fastening homeward she
having been Unexpectedly detained by
meeting m 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 80 quickly rs to render her
selated before size was aware of II.
was greatly reioiced to find her
safe md unharmed--hut not little
puzzled 10 account for my presentiment
OF evil, which II appeared to me had
taken place without causo-though in
this respect was greatly mistaken, rs
the sequel will show.