Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-03-17

hiuuB nv III bhthg huu my uOuuAS bAObNlhb
along before me. For two or three days had
noticed a suspicious bank of clouds hanging
in the northern horizon, and the colonel had
warned me to make haste for q storm was
brewing Acting upon his advice I pushed
ahead as rapidly as possible, shading my
burning eyes with my hand, and now and
then calling to my dogs, which seemed inclin-
ed to turn about and give battle to pack of
gaunt and hungry wolves that was following
behind me. l saw with no little uneasiness
that although the south wind was blowing
strongly, that threatening bank of clouds in
the north was rising rapidly against it. The
Arctic King was coming in his might, and
knew that the storm would overtake me long
before l could reach my destination. l be-
gan TO feel timid. did not like the persis-
tency with which those famine breeders hung
on my trail. There was something ominous
in it. q q.
"Just before dark l reached my camping
ground. 1t was sheltered nook among the
hills, bare of snow, and there was spring of
good water close by. After putting the blank
cts on the mare and feeding her and making
her as comfortable as l could for the night, l
built a fire under the lee of rock, and With
my dogs around me, sat down to eat my sup
per. just then the war of the elements be-
gan. With roar and a rush that was terri
struck the south wind and drove it back
Then there was lull, such as sometimes oc-
ours in battle when the opposing forces are
gathering themselves for decisive effort, and
with another mighty roar the final onslaught
was made. The blizzard was in full blast
The air was literally filled with ice. 1t grew
colder and colder every minute aud my fire
seemed to give out no heat. could not look
at the blaze, for the pain in my eyes had in
creased until it was almost unbearable. FL
nally l wrapped my blankets around me and
lay down TO sleep.
How long l slumbered l do not know. 1
was awakened by one of my dogs, which
came up and licked my face. 1 started up
and threw off the blankets 1t was pitch dark
The blizzard was still raging fearfully, and
the wolves had approached so close to my
camp that l could hear the patter of their
feet as they ran about among the scrub oaks,
and my faithful dogs now and then gave a
growl to warn them Off A stamping among
the brutes told me that my mare was render
ed uneasy by their presence, and thought
would go out and speak to her. looked
toward the place where my fire had been kin
died but could not see a single coal. 1t had
burned itself completely out. Cropping my
way on my hands and knees to the pile of
fuel l had gathered before going to Sleep l
BlShtu up u btlOh huh DeBdh PohlnB hIOuuu
for the Goals. Presently sharp stinging SEN
sation in my hand told me that had found
one. 1 could feel the pain but could not
see the coal, and yet it must have been a live
one or else it could not have burned me-
With trembling hands and terrible sinking
at my heart took out match and lighted it,
/ could distinctly hear it burning, but could
not see the blaze, although held the match
until my fingers were scorcbed. Then drop
ped It, and with a scream of terror jumped
to my feet. Great heaven! / was blind
"With the experience 1 now have l know
that my situation would have been desperate
if had been in full possession of my sight
as it was l gave myself up for lost. was
psralyzed with horror, and for time 1 could
not move. The actions of one of my dogs
aroused me. He bounded forward and began
terrible battle with one of the wolves. With
another cry of terror groped my way back
to my bed, and catching up my rifle succeed
ed after a desperate scramble in placing my
self on the top of the rock. By this time the
battle between my dogs and the wolves was
in full progress, and fierce one it was, too.
fred shot after shot into the air in the hope
of frightening the famine breeders, but they
we're rendered too desperate by hunger to fear
the smell of gunpowder. How earnestly
prayed that my noble dogs might succeed in
them words of encouragement to which they
had never failed to respond during hunt,
aud finally knew that they were gaining the
victory. They drove the wolves away from
me, but the ravenous animals were not to be
cheated. They turned their attention to my
horse fairly cried as l stood there sight
less and helpless on my rock and listened TO
the struggles of the frightened' beast as she
strove with desperate energy to break her
fastenings. To my great joy she succeeded,
and with shrill neigh of terror set off up
the valley. 1 heard her hoofs Gathering over
the bare ground and the snRrls and yelps of
the savage pack as it followed close at her
heels, and then all was still. l called to my
faithful guardians and each one answered to
his name by joyful bark all except Major,
whose response was mournful whine. Poor
fellow He had been severely handled.
81 did not delude myself with the hope that
l had seen the last of the wolves. knew
that my steed, feet and enduring as she was,
would in the end be overtaken and torn in
pieces by her tireless pursuers, and that hsv-
ing whetted their appetites they would return
in sufficient numbers to overpower my guards
and make an end of me. had always pray
ed for soldiers death, and the thought that
l must give up my life in this horrible way
was agonizing
II cannot tell how long stood there wait
ing for the wolves to come back and put me
out of my misery, for l was dazed with ter
ror. fell into a sort of stupor, from which
/ was aroused by bark from one of my
hounds, and Il know every note uttered by
these animals as well as l know the sound of
my own voice. it was a bark of welcome.
Help was near. My first feeling was one of
amazement, and before had recovered from
it heard a rifle shot, and then another and
another. The whole pack broke out into
joyous bAying. l cooked my rifle with my
benumbed hands and fred all the remaining
cartridges into the air. tried to shout, but
could not utter sound. My head reeled and
fell from the rock
II remained full month at Mr.. Buffers
hospitable ranchebeforeI was ableto return to
the post. He and two of his neighbors had
been out after black tails and were caught in
the blizzard, but knowing that they must
reach home or run the risk of being showed
up in the hills they boldly faced it, and
fortunate thing it was for me that they did
so. They saw the wolves devouring my mare,
and took the back trail expecting to find my
mangled body. When they discovered me
lying there behind that rock, surrounded by
my bleeding hounds, no words could express
them astonishment. Close by there were sew
en- dead wolves and three disabled ones that
we're trying TO crawl Off These they shot.
That these dead and wounded members of
the pack were not devoured by their comrades
was owing to the feroeness with which my
brave dogs fought them. They were badly
cut up, but they received the same kind nurs-
ing that did, and here they are, as ready for
a fight as they ever were Do you know why
every body in the fort thinks SO much of my
body guard, Harry p
l thought did Our Continent.