Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-25
GALES a,,o Sketebes.
SKATING FOR LIFE.
BY FRANCIS BLAKE ROWLAND.
(Contipued from Yesterday. }

lContlnue0 from Yesterday.
Only a mile more, Could we distance
them enough to gain time TO rush up the
steep bank to our house fettered as we
would be in the snow by our skates. The
chase wasalready telling on us, our breath
came in labored gasps and our throats
were dry and parched, while the wolves,
so far from showing any signs of fear as
they neared the settlements, seemed to
grow more eager to seize US before we
could escape Their hot tongues were
lolling and we could hear their quick
painting, but their steady speed was not
in the least dimished. We did not speak
for we could not stop tor that. Every
nerve was strained to the utmost. BY
shooting them and doubling rapidly we
gained a little, for wolf. Cor any other
dog-footed animal) can only go straight
ahead on smooth ice. The moment they
try to turn quickly they fall and slide
along on their sides in the direction they
are running. The faster the speed
the longer will be their slide. That
was what saved US as the old Dutchman
had forseen, and we actually laughed in
spite of our great danger at the yelps of
baffled rage, and bowls of establishment
from those wolves. so they went sliding
along in confused mass while we darted
first to one side then the other. and we
grew so reckless that we would wait until
our heels before turning. When We
rounded the bend and came in sight OF
home what was our establishment to hear
Brave frantic barks and see solitary fig
ure on the ice by the landing gestulating
Nht1n no dor Erct IN, bn1
in the huge bank OF snow then leaped
around him, as if warning him of his dan
ger.
Aswe came nearer we recognized George
the boy who was almost afraid of his
own shadow-who would shudder and
turn pale at the mention of wolves. stand
ing there firm and undaunted in the face
of scores OF yelping, howing blood-thirsty
brutes. 1t was something we couldn't
just see through though we did later.
Come IN here. come in here" he
shouted. his shrill voice barely heard
above the snarling and yelling of the
wolves. Waving an answer we turned
and sped away TO the right until nearly OPP
posite the cabin, and then dashed across
straight Tor the hole in the snowbank.
George and brave followed, George stop
ping just long enough to swing a heavy
door against the entrance at the same mo-
ment that the yelping pack reached it.
Then he led the way up through tunnel
of snow. and before we realized that our
peril was over we stood safe and sound in
our woodshed, though a little out of breath
to be sure. John and George with the
two younger boys had dug deep hole in
the great depth by the river. as large as
a small sized room and named it "CrusO' S
Cave" in honor of the romance of Robin
son Cruso, which John had Just finished
reading aloud to them. They had even
gone so far as TO build a huge mound of
snow on the bank, stamping it down
which they called ant. Lookout" Not
content with this they had tunnelled up
through the snow and gravel to the top of
the bank and from there to the shed which
they entered by an unused window
They laid cedar splits on the top of the
tunnel. covering them with more snow,
thus strengthening it and making it more
lasting. With stout door and frame,
made fast by pouring cold water on the
snow around it until it was set in solid
ice, their cave was complete.
Ii was novel idea and one for which
Sam and had reason to be truly thankful.
They had completed it that very day, and,
having worked on it while Sam and were
in the woods getting fuel, we had known
nothing about it. The wolves followed
us to the opening and stood there yelling
with rage and tumbling and fighting
among themselves. Granther hitched his
chair along to the window. 1t was mere
than he could stand and he sung out as
we entered the house:
Hand me that are rifle, boys, and You
stand by and keep the guns and pistols
loaded for me. III make some - 'en
wish they'd stayed ter hum. Don't sp ose
well git any of the pelts though. The
varmuns won't know enuf ter leave
them
And the plucky old man sat there and
fired through the window as fast as we
could load. The reports rang out on the
night air, and with each spiteful puff Il
grey form would bound high above the
rest only to fall heavily to the ice and be
devoured by its hungry comrades.
Guess kin kill as fast as YOU kin eat
anyhow" said Granther grimly. Brave
stood between mother and Eliza, by the
other window, with two paws on the sill
watching the scene on the ice with excited
growls of satisfaction.
For awhile it seemed as if Granther
could not furnish food as fast as wanted
tor they kept collecting from up river I'M
til the ice was almost covered with their
skulking grey forms. At last however
they trotted away up river again, having
their numbers visibly lessened and what
were left provided with one good supper.
Once in awhile one would pause as il
not quite satisfied and look back with
glistening eyes and reeking Jaws towards
the scene of the slaughter, but he would
soon be brought to sense of his situation
by Granther's rifle, and at last thew were
all out of sight around the bend Then
nothing would do but Sam and must go
and see if any of the skins were worth
taking as soon rs Granther thought it was
safe to venture out. We found about five
among the pile Of bloody fur and homes,
evidently the last ones shot.
These we dragged to the house to skin
in the morning.
TOO bad. moaned Granther, Every
one of 'em is worth morn five dollars
sides the bounty"
But Sam and | were content as we re-
membered that ii might have been our lot
to furnish the wolves with supper.