The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-06-20
4 NIGHT WITH THE WOLVES

A number OF years ago I took my
family to Wisconsin, and located my
self in the woods, about ten miles from
the nearest settlement, and at least
five from the nearest neighbor. The
country round was mostly forest; and
wild beasts and Indians were so
numerous in that quarter, that my
friends at the east, TO whom ] gave a
description OF my locality, expressed
great fears for our safety, and said
they should be less surprised 10 learn
OF our having all been cut of, than to
hear OF our still being alive out there
at the end OF a couple OF years. How
ever, ! did not feel much alarmed on
my own account and my wife was as
brave as q hunter; but then we had
three ch~ildren-thc Oldest only ten
and sometimes, when | was away from
home, the sudden growl OF n bear, the
howl OF n wolf, or the scream OF II
panther, would make me think OF
them, and feel quite uneasy.
For n while, at first, the night
screeching and bowling OF these wild
animals alarmed the children n good
deal-and sometimes my wife and T.
especially when we mistook the cry Of
the panther for an Indian yell; but we
SOC got used to the different sounds,
and then did not mind them so much;
and after | had got n few acres cleared
around the dwelling, they generally
kept more distant at night.
One bitter cold morning-the ground
being deeply covered with snow, 80
crusted and frozen that no feet could
sink into It'll brought out the horse
for my wife 10 ride TO the nearest set
Element, where she had some purchases
to make, which she wished 70 attend
60 herself. Besides being well muftled
up in her W clothing, wrapped IA
large buffalo robe around her; and adj
monishingher that the woods were full
of danger after dark, | urged her TO be
sure and get back before sunset, which
she promised TO do.
All day long, after her departure,
from some cause for which Icould not
account, | felt very much depressed
and uneasy, Ms If something evil were
were going TO happen; and when Isaw
the sun about hall an hour high, and
no signs OF my wife returning, | got
out my pistols, rifle, ammunition, and
hunting-knife, saddled a young and
rather skittish colt, and bidding the
children keep within doors, and the
house safely locked, / mounted and
rode off 70 meet her, which / expected
TO do at every turn of the horse-path.
II was Just about dark when ] saw
the lights OF the town cleaning in the
distance; but before | reached the
place met my wife Fastening home
ward-she having been Unexpectedly
detained. was greatly rejoiced TO
find her safe and unharmed-but not
a little puzzled TO account for my pre-
sentiment of evil, which IL appeared to
me had taken place without ause
We now set of at a brisk trot home
ward-through a dense, dark, gloomy
wood. which lined our way on either
side-and had safely proceeded about
five miles, when we were somewhat
startled by "a series OF long, plaintivc
howls. at a considerable distance, and
in different directions, and which our
experience told us were wolves, seem
ingiy calling and answering each other
through the great forest.
The wolves OF this region were Of the
larger and iiercer species; and though
ordinarily and singly they might not
attack aluman being, yet in numbers
and pressed by hunger, as they gener-
ally were az this SEASON. OF the year,
10y no means felt certein that We
should not be molested. Accordingly
We quickened the pace OF our horses;
and as we hurried on, | grew every
moment more uneasy and alarmed. "a
! noticed that many of the sounds
gradually approached Us. We had
Just entered n deep hollow. where "a few
large trees stretched their huge branch
es over a dense thickct. when sudden.
~ there arose several loud, harsh
baying and snarling sounds close at
hand. The next moment there was a
quick rus.ling and thrashing among
the BUSHES; and then some six or eight
large woives-lean. quaint, and mad.
dened with hungsr-sprang into the
path close beside IA.
This happened 80 suddenly and nm.
expectodly. that my wife gave a slight