Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-12-05
THE CANINE PROTECTOR.
a NAN SAVED FRoM vARIoJs PER
LL5 ny HIS roc.
Wild Scenes in the Saska tcbeVyan
COuutr I-adYenfures with Raw
cnous Ami mails ana Prairie Fires.

cnoas Ami mails ana Prairie Fires.
Philip Baird, man of about forty
years OF age, arrived in St. Paul, Mimi,
recently an his way East, and told Dug
reporter pitiable tale of suffering in the
western part Of Manitoba. In his own
words he says:
81 went out West four years ago and
settled on claim in the Saskatchewan
district, near the Bow river. l had con-
siderable money, and noticing the splen-
did quality of the SOIL decided to con-
sumo it all in improvements. Part of
my land was wooded, and soon had
nice garden laid off and log cabin
built. All had around me was my dog,
the most trusty and affectionate canine
| ever saw. He was as large as the shep-
herd dog and had proved his devotion
more than once. He was yellow dog.
Prospects were very encouraging for me
after was there for two years, having
in that time got possession of horse
and some rough agricultural implements
which l made myself My crops were
splendid on what ground | could quilt
vate, and | always found q readyi .arket
at Fort Walsh or Fort Mcleod, both
places several days journey. always
made preparations in the fall so that
would not be compelled to 90 to either
fort during the winter, as a jour
ney In the winter meant the signing
of ones own death sentence. 1t would
be impossible to pitch tent for the
night during the journey in winter, and
then one had no protection against the
wolves, which were very fierce and dar-
ing, 1t was the winter of 'S2, about the
middle of February, became weary of
| sitting around the cabin with nothing to
occupy my mind. determined to risk
all danger l would be subject to and
make trip to Fort Walsh. So, prepar-
ing myself and fixing blanket around
my horse, set out, leaving my dog to
take care of itself at home. The day
set out was q very fine one and the ther-
mometer could not have registered below
zero. The snow was light and l reached
the fort in three days from the time I
left. The mounted police at the fort
were much surprised to see me and were
persistent in their efforts to detain me
from undertaking the journey homeward.
But was not to be deferred, and | set
out on my return, but took different
route. had bought myself sled and a
few buffalo skins, beside some ammuni-
tion to provide against an attack by
wolves.
''It was the third night after leaving
the fort, when was about to rest my
horse, that in the distance l heard a
savage howl that stirred my blood. Oh,
bnt what q shock that one crV. gave me.
we'll did know what it meant. My
horse understood its meaning, too, for he
picked up his ears and gave o low
whinny. He did not need any urging,
but started at full gallop and nearly
blinded me with snow. l was about
forty miles from home, as near as | could
Judge, but my hopes of ever reaching it
were slim. At all events determined
to die game. The cries came weaker
and weaker, and dared not look behind,
but only kept asking myself what l had
to live for and who would ever think
what became of me if l should furnish a
feast for the ravenous beasts. At last
my horse began showing signs of exhaus-
ton and looked to my firearms. l had
two pistols, two barrels each, rife and
shotgun together, and fine revolver
of six chambers, and then if it came to
close quarters, had an axe to defend
myself with. After had made prepara-
tions ventured to glance behind. There
they were, only q few hundred
yards off, coming like race horses.
There was not over dozen of them
and l felt that all hope was not
lost. My noble steed made last effort,
but the wolves were soon up with US, so
taking my rife l aimed at the head one
and had the satisfaction of seeing him
give q leap and fall. About half of his
companions fell on him while the others
continued after me. When they were
within dozen yards of me l discharged
! my shotgun among them. 1t was charged
heavily with buck-shot, and two more
fell. The others stopped to devour their
companions and was alone. But it did
not last long. l had not proceeded over
{ mile when they were again in hot pur-
] suit My horse could not go any further
from fatigue, so reloaded my rife and
shotgun and awaited the onset. They
appeared more ravenous than ever; but
5 courage and aim did not fail me and
' fired right and left among them. They
/ were all right around me and one big
giant beast leaped up to grab me, but he
S fell from bullet in his head. l looked
, forward and shot one as it was seizing
G my hsrse. There were only two left,
8 and l dispatched the one in hurry,
q when on turning around noticed two
: rolling over and over in front of my
G horse. Great Scott if l wasn't SUI.
e prised to see my dog Yellow in fierC
D conflict with the remaining wolf. Et
, soon had it at his will and strangled il
' to death. Such warm greeting hao
/. with the good fellow; never was a FRIEND
r more welcome. l was not fully per
5 suaded how the dog found me until
s went to the fort the next summer, wher
, they told me that my dog had been there
and had only left after satisfying himsel
, that had gone.
81 only tell you this" said the nara.
. tor, thinking it might interest you
9 about what have really to say occurred
y last August.
1 81 had only got my harvest half dom
y when one night awoke to find my room
o brightly illuminated. l understood its
e meaning at once and made all haste t.
6 dress and get my wallet of money, snear
t ly SO, 900, and get out OF the cabin.
8 was as l suspected, the dreaded prairie
g fire. Away ia the horizon could motto
i its rapid advance. knew that my onl
way of escape was in hasty fight. NJ
S horse was roaming over the prairie, ant
s / could not afford to look for him, s.
c along with my faithful dog l plodded M
y way as rapidly as possible toward tn
Q Bow river. The distance was ten miles
9 and whether l could make it or not
c did not take time to consider, but ran a