The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-10-14
Select Story.
A BOYS NIGHT WITH WOLVES.
BY EMERSON BENNET,


When l was quite small lad my
father, who was farmer, removed from
Ohio to Wisconsin, and settled on a
good farm, but in region of country
very thinly peopled, and abounding in
game and wild beasts, especially wolves
and bears.
The wolves, in fact, were very trou-
blesome, and, when pressed by hunger,
in the winter season. would venture up
near the dwelling and destroy any of
the smaller domestic animals that might
chance to be exposed, such as poultry,
pigs, sheep, and calves. They were al
ways boldest when in packs, and would
then sometimes attack and destroy the
larger cattle, such as horses, oxen, and
cows. They would instinctively stink
away from human being, and we had
never heard of any person being attack
ed by them in that region but still it
was generally thought that it might not
be altogether safe for any one to be
caught out alone during their hungry
season, if surrounded by sufficient num-
bers to give them courage.
| was between thirteen and fourteen
years of age when l met with the fol
lowing fearful adventure.
One cold, wintry month, when the
snow lay deep on the ground, my father
said to me:
"Henry, find we are nearly out OF
flour, and propose to send you to the
mill today with a grist, which, if posi-
BILE, want you to bring back with you
"a part of it, at least. Tell Mr.. Benson
the miller, he will oblige me very much
if he will manage to let you off in time
| for you to reach home before dark"
"But if he cant, father, am i to wait?'
inquired.
"Not later than sunset, at all events
nor even that long if you are afraid"
"Oh, I'm not afraid of the dark"
laughed; 'and as it is nearly level road
our old gray can do it easily in two
| hours"
The distance from our farm to tn,
mill was a good ten miles, mostly over {
prairie level, with long stretch of woods
part of the way, and no settlers aite
| the first two miles till within two mile
| of the mill vilage-or, in other words
there was a dreary space of six mile
leading through wood, without sin
gle dwelling in the interval.
Putting the horse to the pung, | start
ed for the mill in fine spirits, little dream
ing of what a terrible ordeal | was +
pass through-what mental and phys
cal tortures I should be compelled to er
dure ere looking upon my dear parent
again.
The day was clear when l set out, tn
snow bright and crisp beneath the ligt
pung and as | lay back in my seat, we
wrapped up from the cold, gave my fre
horse his head, and listened to the swet
lulling music of the gently jingling bell
| experienced dreamy delight that CAV
no foreboding of the awful things I
come.
| reached the mill in due time bl
though the miller was disposed to fave
me, there were others ahead of me, frol
a distance also, which brought my tul
quite late in the day and as | was d
termined to wait for my grist, | was N,
ready to start home until about dusk.
Meantime the weather had chang,
aud there were now all the signs of
fast gathering storm.
"EIenry, my boy" said the miller, in
kindly tone, 81 think you had better Ii
over till morning, 1t is quite certa
now that we're going to have seye
snow storm very shortly, and I'm afra
you'll get caught in it. The wind
sharp and it will be sure TO drift You
got a long, lonely ride and if y
should get fast in the snow, you wor
have nobody to help you out, and mig
freeze to death"
~ thank you for your kind interest
my behalf, Mr.. Benson" replied "a
as l have. a good horse and good nc