The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-07
A NIGHT WITH THE WOLVES

A number of years ago l 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
description OF my locality, expressed
great fears for our safety, and said
they should be less surprised to learn
OF our having all been cut off, 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 hunter; but then we had
three children-the oldest only ten
and sometimes, when I was away from
home, the sudden growl OF a bear, the
howl OF a wolf, or the scream Of a
panther, would make me think of
them, and feel quite uneasy.
For a while, at first, the night
screecaing and bowling OF these wild
animals alarmed the children good
deal-and sometimes my wife and +
especially when we mistook the cry OF
the panther for an Indian yell; but we
soon got used to the different sounds,
and then did not mind them so much;
and after had got a few acres cleared
around the dwelling, they generally
kept more distant at nig ht.
One bitter cold morning-the ground
being deeply covered with snow, so
crusted and frozen that no feet could
sink into it brought out the horse
for my wife to ride to the nearest set
Element, where she had some purchases
to make, which she wished to attend
to herself. Besides being well muff1ed
up in her own clothing, / wrapped a
large buffalo robe around her; and adj
monishing her 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. l could not
account, felt very much depressed
and uneasy, as if something evil were
were going to happen; and when saw
the sun about half an hour high, and
no signs of my wife returning, [ got
out my pistols, rifle, ammunition, and
hunting-knife, saddled a young and
vather skittish colt, and bidding the
children keep within doors, and the
house safely locked, [ mounted and
rode off to meet her, which 1 expected
to do at every turn OF the horse-path.
1t was just about dark when I saw
the lights Of the town cleaning in the
distance; but before I reached the
place | met my wife Fastening home
'ward-she having been unexpectedly
detained. l was greatly rejoiced to
find her safe and unharmed-but not
a little puzzled to account for my pre-
sentiment OF evil, which it appeared to
me had taken place without cause.
We now set off 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, plaintiv'
hOWls, at a considerable distance, anC
in different directions, and which GU
experience told us were wolves, seem
ingly calling and answering each othe
through the great forest.
The wolves of this region were Of tn
larger and fercer species; and thoug
ordinarily and singly they might no
ATTACK ahuman being, yet in number
and pressed by hunger, as they gene1
ally were at this SEASON. of the year,
by no means felt certain that W
should not be molested. Accordingl
we quickened the pace Of our horses
and as we hurried on, grew ever
moment more uneasy and alarmed, a
[ noticed that many OF the sound
gradually approached us. We ha
Just entered deep hollow, where a fe
large trees stretched their huge brancl
,es over dense thlcket, when sudde1
ly there arose several loud, harsl
baying and snarling sounds close {
hand. The next moment there was
quick rustling and thrashing amor
the bushes; and then some six or eigl
large wolves-lean, quaint, and ma
.dened with hunger-sprang into tt
path close DeSlde us. " |".-r...7
This happened so suddenly and u
"expectedly, that my wife gaveta sligl
scream and dropped her rein; and II
horse, rearing and plunging at tt
same moment, unseated her; and 81
fell to the ground, right in the ve1
midst of the savage and how'll
beasts. -.
Fortunately, her sudden fall stan
led the wild animals little: and
they momentarily drew back, she, wi
rarepresence Of mind; at oncegather
her buffalo robe, which she hi
dragged with her, in such a mann
about her person as to protect h,
sself from the first onset of their fan,
THE next moment the ferocioes a.
anals, with the most savage grow