The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-05-19
NUMBER II.
CHASED BY WOLVES.
MAIL CARRIERS sNow-sHoE RACE FOR
LIFE OVER IDAHO MOUNTAINS


One Thursday afternoon George Henning-
house. a short, thick German, who is en-
ployed to carry the mail between Bullion
and HaiIy at such times as the road Is i'm
passable for teams, left Haily with sack Of
mail weighing about seventy pounds for
Bullion Camp which is seven miles almost
due west Of this city. As clearinghouse
started down Bullion street toward the river.
mounted on snow shoes, and the sack of
mail swung over his shoulder, he remarked.
"a heavy storm is approaching, and I must
hasten or I'll lose the way" The course
taken from Hailv to Bullion by snow shoes
is over the mountain, and the well worn
trail is easily followed, except during OF
just after a storm. when fresh snow obliter-
ates the tracks made by the shoes. Hen
nInghouse had gone as far as the road which
turns off to the Warm Springs, about two
miles, when binding storm set i'm blowing
almost a gale. All signs Of the road and
trail we're soon obliterated, and, as the out
lines of the mountains were not distinguish
able through the descending snow and sleet,
Henninghouse was forced to go considerably
by guess. Miscalculatng the distance over
road too soon, assembled the bleak, wild
mountains to the north, and must have fol-
lowed the precise course of the unfortunate
Allen, who perished on a similar trip a few
weeks ago.
Upon reaching the highest point no famil-
lar landmark met his vision, and not daring
to descend without being sure of the way,
he wandered about for hours in search Of
some clue to his whereabouts. Night set in
cold and dreaTy, and as he was about to give
up from exhaustion and Law down to rest,
the dismal howl of a wolf was borne TO his
ear. Reused by his Ominous sound, fear
leant strength TO his weary muscles. and he
started along the ridge-he knew not with
er. Soon other wolves were heard, and from
the distinctness of the sound he knew they
must have scented him and were on his
trail. Now thoroughly awakened to a sense
of danger. he hurried forward, wildly peer
ing out into the darkness, hoping to see the
light of some Tancher's OF miners cabin
Nearer came his pursuers, and, as no light
appeared, the bowling snarling fipnds upon
his track seemed to be sounding his death
knell. Soon he could hear their loud breath
ing and the pat, pat, pat Of their many feet
y
With his eyes staring wildly into the great
blank before him, and the perspiration issu-
ing from every pore like rain, he fastened
forward. At last he felt instinetiveIy that
the game was up, that his pursuers were
upon him, and as he was about to halt and
face them, wolf sprang upon the heel ot
his snow shoe and threw him. In his great
fright he had not thought Of dropping his
heavy burden of mail, but as he fell it was
hurled away many yards, and Immediately
set upon by the famishing wolves
Taking advantage Of the moment, Hen
ninghouse struck light, and drawing some
papers from his pocket, set fire to them. and
the glare of the flames frightened the wolves
This gave him time to mount his shoes. and.
turning them down the mountain side, be
flew forward with the speed OF the wind.
knowing nothing Of the course before him.
whether it led to safety OF a precipice hun
dreds of feet deep. An angry snarI told
him that the animals were again on his track.
In ABOUT twenty seconds he placed half a
mile between himself aud pursuers, and as
he rode out into the valley he behel6 a light
only short distance ahead. Screaming for
help he pushed on, and was soon met by
the inmates of Virgil Lambs cabin As
they came up to him he tainted from exhaus-
tion, and was carried in and cared for by Mr..
and Mrs. Lamb. Two wolves came close to
the cabin, but after a few bowls they re-
traced sneir steps and disappeared in the
darkness. We learn that Henninghouse is
all right again, except little soreness of the
muscles from over exertion. He afirms,
however, that if he packs any more mail for
Uncle Sam in these parts it will be done
during sunshine.