The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-07
THE CANINE PROTECTOR.
A MAN SAVED From VARIOUS PER.
us BY HIS DOG.
Wild Scenes in the Saskatchewan
COuntry-AdventureS With Raw
enOus Animals and Prairie Fires.

COuntry-Adventures With Raw
enOus Animals and Prairie FIRES
Philip Baird, a mar of about forty
years OF age, arrived in st. Paul, Mimi,
recently IN his way East, and told a Day
reporter a 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 a 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 l soon had a
nice garden laid off and a log cabin
built. All | had around me was my dog,
the most trusty and affcctionare canine
| ever saw. He was as large as the shep-
herd dog and had proved his devotion
more than once. lie was q yellow dog.
Prospects were very encouraging for me
after | was there for two years, having
in that time got possession of a horse
and some rough agricultural implements
which l made myself. My crops were
splendid on what ground l could cult
vate. and l always found q ready market
at Fort Walsh or Fort Mcleod, both
places several days Journey. always
made preparations in the fall so that
would not be compelled to 60 to either
fort during the winter, as a Jour
ncy IN the winter meant the signing
of ones own death sentence. 1t would
be impossible to pitch a 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 '82, about the
middle of February, l 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 a trip to Fort Walsh. So, prepar-
ing myself and fixing a blanket around
my horse, l set out, leaving my dog to
take care of itself at home. The day
set out was a very fine one and the Their
mometer could not have registered below
zero. The snow was light and l reached
the fort in three days from the time
left. The mounted police at the fort
were much surprised to see me and were
persistent in their efforts to dctain me
from undertaking the journey homeward.
But I was not to be deferred, and | set
out on my return, but took n different
route. ! had bought myself a sled and a
few buffalo skins, beside some ammuni.
tion to provide against an attack by
wolves.
at was the third night after leaving
the fort, when I was about to rest my
horse, that in the distance l heard a
savage howl that stirred my blood. Oh,
but what Il shock that one cry gave me.
My blood ran cold through my veins, so
we'll did know what it meant. My
horse understood its meaning, too, for he
picked up his ears and gave low
whinny. He did not need any urging,
but started at full gallon and nearly
blinded me with snow. | was about
forty miles from home, as near as | could
Judge, but my hopes of ever reaching 1t
were slim. At all events determined
to die game. The cries came weaker
and weaker, and Idared not look behind,
but only kept asking myself what 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 l looked to my firearms. l had
two pistols, two barrels each, a rifle and
a shotgun together, and a fine revolver
of six chambers, and then if it came to
close Quarters, ! had an X to defend
myself with. After I had made I.rcnara
tons l vcntured to glance behind. There
they were, only a few hundred
yards off. coming like race horses.
There was not over a dozen of them
and 1 felt that all hope was not
lost. My noble steed made a last effort,
but the wolves were soon up with us, so
taking my rifle 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 a 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 l was alone. But it did
not last long. l had not proceeded over
a mile when they were again in hot pur-
suit. My horse could not 60 any further
from fatigue, so I reloaded my rifle and
shotgun and awaited the onset. They
appeared more ravenous than ever; but
courage and aim did not fail Inc and l
fired right and left among them. They
were all right around me and n big
giant beast leaped up to grab me, but he
fell from a bullet in his head. l looked
forward and shot one as it was Selling
my horse. There were only two left,
and I dispatched the n in a hurry,
when on turning around l noticed two
rolling over and over in front of my
horse. Great Scott. if l wasn't sur
prised to see my dog Yellow in fierce
conflict with the remaining wolf. He
o O had it at his will and strangled it
to death. Such a warm greeting | had
with the good fellow; never was a friend
more welcome. I was not fully per.
suaded how the dog found me until |
went to the fort the next summer, when
they told me that my dog had been there
and had only left after satisfying himself
that l had gone.
81 only tell you this" said the nara
tor, thinking it might interest you
about what l have really to say occurred
last August.
81 had only got my harvest half done
when one night l awoke to find my room
brightly Illuminated. l understood its
meaning at once and made all haste to
dress and get my wallet of money, near
ly So, 600, and get out OF the cabin. 1t
was as | suspected, the dreaded prairie
fire. Away in the horizon l could notice
its rapid advance. I knew that my only
way of escape was in hasty flight. My
horse was roaming over the prairie, and
l could not afford to look for him, so
along with my faithfuldo % I plodded my
way as rapidly as possible toward the
Bow river. The distance was ten miles,
and whether / could make it or not
did not take time to consider, but ran as
| never did before. How | lasted the
distance is Il problem to me. | reached
the bank of the river rs the raging
flames were within q hundred yards,
and as l was standing there dazed my
dog took hold of me, and with a sudden
Jerk pulled me hcadforemost into the
river. The cool waters revived me, and
| stayed there until the flames leaped the
river and were licking up the dry grass
on the other side. Several buffalo were in
river, having been driven by the flames.
I had no home any more. and knew not
what to do. wanted to 60 back and
look at the place where my home was,
but | knew there was nothing there for
me any more. Then the first thought!
dawned upon Inc that | had no means Of
s%ustenance, not even q tirearm to assist
me in securing game. I started down the
river, intending to keep by its course
until | reached the Saskatchewan, thus
making sure of something to drink if
nothing to eat. The route was Il good
deal the longest, but the safest, and |
plodded on. That night | was tired and
hungry when l laid down to rest.
Strange to say l slept sound and awokc
with a prodigious appetite. TO appease
it my dog had a fine prairie rabbit lying
in front of INC. lie had not touched it
himself after killing it, but by the visit
full way he watched the dead animal
7