New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-05-31
A OAMP BURPRIsE;.

parry, ten OF US IN all, camped out IN the
Adirondack wilderness. There were
three guides II mention the guidesfrst
because they are the most important
members of camping party two gem
tlemen, two children, two ladies, the
children's old maiden aunt, myself, and
an English nurse to help cake care Of
the little ones.
! We had pitched our tents in the grand
old Adirondack forest on the shore of q
beautiful lake in tho heart of the ..North
Woods" and for ten days had had the
jolliest time imaginable.
At last we were getting out of veni-
son, and tho gentlemen proposed la night
hunt for deer. On former occasions
they had always left guide to guard
the camp, but knowing that deer were
scarce, we thought the more men in the
party the more likely would they bring
home fine, fat buck. So we protested
against being left in charge of guide,
and after talking it over awhile the gem
tlemen finally agreed to take all the
guides with them, and just before dusk
started for pond some miles distant
from our camp.
We watched the boats until they
passed out of sight, and then strolled
about the shore until it was dark. Then
drawing near the tents we sat down on
some logs around the campfire. Touch.
ing q match to huge pile of brush
hard by we sat gazing upon the flames
as they leaped upward, roaring and
cracking, and filling the forest with q
cheerful glow.
Every one, we suppose, knows that
being courageous in broad daylight is
one thing, and being courageous in the
dark is another. We had been as brave
as lions before sunset, but I think the
feeling that we were alone in this i'm
mense forest miles and miles from
hunters tent made us feel little nerv-
Gus, for I noticed that we started at ev-
cry rustling of the bushes, looking up
anxiously # the wind gently stirred the
branches overhead, and the English
nurse jumped at least foot as 3 loon
sent forth his wild, hooking cry.
''Was that q panther, ehp' she asked
In frightened whisper.
''Oh, no indeed" replied the chill
dren's aunt, and yet the feeble attempt
at . laugh ended in little SILVER, and
I saw her glance quickly over her
shoulder in a scared sort Of way.
| Piling several logs Of wood on the fire
TO make it last as long as possible we
withdrew, to our large sleeping tent.
The English nurse headed the procession
with an old rusty hunting knife she had
found among the COOKING utensils. Rob.
the youngest boy, logged q broken oar
into the tent, while Aunt brought up
the rear with tin pan and pudding
stick. 2
II have often read thatany loud noise
win serve to brighten away wild beasts
she whispered to me, land I thought
these might be handy to have with us. -
After securely fastening the canvas
flaps at the entrance of the tent, we lay
down on our beds of hemlock boughs,
but we didn't seem to be very sleepy; in
act, we were too nervous to sleep at
once. I was just dropping into doze
when ! heard sound in the distance
fa kind Of prolonged howl.
raised my head to listen-so did
Aunt.
"What was that?' she whispered.
'Oh, nothing but another loon,' I
answered, as calmly as ! could, but /
knew very well it was not loon.
For few moments all was still. Again
the same unearthly sound broke the
stiffness Of the night This time it
seemed nearer-a long dismal howl.
The children's aunt rose to sitting
posture. The English nurse asked in 3
frightened whisper, '.Indians, ehp Pam
ther, ehp''
'.Nonsense,'' returned I. ..There are
no panthers here, and as for Indians,
there isn't red man within thousand
miles" Here stopped. My hair was
braided down my back In q Chinese pig
tail, and it seemed to rise straight in the
air as gust of wind broughtto our ears
. third howl, followed by chorus Of
mccarthy yelps.
We sprang to our feet. felt some
one pulling at my dress and heard Rob's
voice-the oldest boy, was fast asleep,
'tWhat is it, AuntieP Is it lis it q wolf?''
Then I knew that his eyes were as big
as batter-plates.
Whatever it is it shall not hurt you,
DEAR" said I, putting one hand on his
shoulder, and feeling with the other for
the rifle which one Of the gentlemen had
placed in corner Of the tent that very
afternoon.
'.Aunt, where is the rifle?''
And Aunt, who had horror of fire.
arms, confessed that .'only few mo-
ments before she had carried it out az
the tent and laid it down in the bushes
with the butt end toward the camp
but it wasn't loaded . replied an-
grily.
.'Well, dear, rifles 90 of sometimes
when they aim loaded, = she answered.
i knew by this that Aunt was very,
very nervous or she never would have
made such foolish speech. Our last
hope - gone them / said with q Rroan.
Now keep still; not q word for your