Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-23
NO. IS

No. 80
ing lrishman by the name of Jimmie
Mcclure, and was what is technically
known as an axe man that is to say, it
was his duty to be always provided with
an axe, for the purpose Of "blazing"'
trees, cutting poles, stakes, etc.
Jimmy had no skates. 90 after strap.
ping ours on, it was agreed that he
should stand before Us with his feet .
little forward, and brsced for sliding.
60 that we could push him along ~ We
skated across the four or FIVE miles
of ice that covered the surface Of the
lake.
1t was coming on night, or twilight,
as we started of, but dull moon was
rising, and we did not mind it, as We had
just finished a hearty lunch Of cold ham
and bread that we had brought from
camp with us. It was easy enough for
US to attain hig ! rate ofspeed, and the
Irishman undoubtedly never had such
slide before. The rate ofspeed at which
we pushed him along almost made his
boots smoke
In less than fifteen minutes We an.
preached the other shore, aud here We
slackened speed. just then we saw some
kind of animals darting in and out
among theunderbrush, like lot of dogs.
at play.
We stopped abruptly, almost, pulling
Jimmy over backwards and proceeded
to look more carefully. 1t was but ..
moment or two, ana we ascert aimed the
secret of the mystery, for one, two, four,
six large timber wolves presently came
out from the cover Of brush. Five Of
them raised their long noses and gave
vent to their long, blood curdling howl,
with which all frontiersmen are fa-
miliar,
"Howly Father, we shall be aiten ~
| breathed Jimmy,
1t certainly looked as if his fears.
would be realized, for the wolves were.
apparently very hungry, and We noticed.
with feeling Of terror that they in
tended to attack US on the ice.
mo time to be lost, Colonel" said
Leighton. excitedly. 1--WE must nut
back across the lake, and 20 around
them"
Hastily getting Jimmy before us, We
turned and shot of with arrowlike
swlftness. But the wolves at once took
TO the ice and gave swift chase. They
slipped considerably at first, but after
getting under full Roadway, they made
long, rapid bounds, and gained on us
every moment. Besides, Jimmy impeded
our progress very much, Still, we
strained every nerve, contested every
inch. A few minutes more showed that
some new device must he attempted
or they would attack US. We could dis
tlnctly hear their short, painting breath,
and the swift patter of their feet.
Colonel, we must dodge said Leigh
ton, as he gave quick glance over his
shoulder "they are right upon u.s."
"All readyW l exclaimed. "Now tn
the rightw
And as spoke we made quick, short
curve. The result was more than wa
expected. The wolves, of course, could
not stop at once, but glided by US on
their launches, one of them 80 near az
to snap at my legs. But in turning too
short we upset Mcclure, who went down
in spite of us, else we should have gained
fair start of the wolves before they
could have stopped their momentum so
as to turn.
AS twas, Jimmy had "slewedo around
when we turned, slipped from our grasp,
and went sliding on his back in nearly
the direction of the wolves.
As the Irishman rose to his feet the
wolves turned and rushed directly at
him, only few rods separating them
while my companion and myself were
several rods farther away.
But We had no idea of DESERVING the
faithful fellow, though the sequel proved
that Jimmy was master of the situation,
and the hero of the hour, after all.
As the wolves sprang forward with
open jaws, tlecked with foam, Mcclure
unstrapped his trusty ak from his back,
and posed it for blow. The opportu-
NIFTY was at hand. A long, gaunt wolf
rushed forward, and made spring d.
rectly at him. With swift circle of his
Ak, he fairly split the brutes head in
twain. Another wolf quickly followed.
and the invincible ak crushed in his
skull. The next wolf wavered and
seemed inclined to back out but JIM