Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-07-09
BESIEGED BY WOLVES.
a Pluclzy Boys Fight with the
Hungry Animals.

Hungry Animals.
Jack Linton. at sixteen years of age,
was as sturdy lad as you would find
in days journey. Reared upon new
farm in the heart of the forest, where
it was necessary often to supplement
the products of the field by the game
which abounded in the neighborhood,
he was an expert shot with the rifle,
cool and plucky.
The Unions home was humble log
cabin. For the sake of warmth it was
banked with earth nearly up to the two
small windows, one in the front and
one in the south end, which lighted the
interior.
The winter after Jacks sixteenth
birthday was very stormy. So deep
was the snow that the numbering par
ties working some eight or ten miles
further in the woods had hard work to
keep the postage road open. This road
ran directly through Unions clearing.
which was fortunate for him; for,
being the last settler in the concession
and more than a mile from the nearest
sueighbor, he would otherwise have
found it nearly impossible to keep the
road broken. AS it was, he had con-
slant fight with the snow; but it was
not altogether an unprofita BILE one, as
the umbermen paid him for keeping
way shoveled through the great drifts
that formed in his clearing.
In the month of January one of the
postage" teams brought in word that
Mrs. Unions mother, who lived at the
nearest railway station, twenty-eight
miles distant, was seriously i'll and
wished to see her daughter. Mr.. Linton,
having some business matters to see to,
determined to go with her. SO one
bright. frosty morning they set out to-
gether, with promise to make an early
start the next day for home.
There was not sign of storm at
the time, but soon after noon heavy
clouds obscured the sky and the snow
began to descend. By sunset fully six
inches had fallen; and as darkness set
in the wind arose and drove the light
snow in clouds before it.
Father and mother will have a hard
time to get home" said Jack, as he
came in from the stable, where he had
been to milk the cows and feed them
and the sheep; 1.-The wind almost blew
me over
Wen be all right won't we, JACKIE"
asked Kittie. timidly. as she set the
milk pans on the table.
..Of course answered Jack, stoutly.
There's nothing to hurt us. and we've
plenty to eat and lots of wood In the
morning I'll go and shovel out the
road
After supper Jack barred the door
put the shutters to the windows and
heapcd the fireplace full of maple logs,
which would burn without sparkling.
Then they all went to bed, Jack sleep
ing downstairs to keep the little ones
company.
The clock on the kitchen shelf was
striking four when Kitty awOke. Baby
was restless and she had just sOOthed
her to sleep, when a dismal cry came
from out OF doors.
Jack, Jack" she exclaimed, whats
that?''
Her brother sat up in an instant. He
had been asleep, but always awakened
quickly.
That's only the wind, )" he answered.
My. how it bowls"
YES. That's the wind: but / don't
smean that. Listen! There it is" she
added, after Il pause, as q long drawn
howl came from before the window. 1t
was Il SOunu TO make Cne OlCOu run
cold, beginning with a short bark and
ending with a piercing wall. 1t was
followed by noise as of scratching on
the roof. Jack sprang out of ped and
had his clothes on n an instant
.'What do you suppose it lisp" asked
Kitty, in an awed whisper.
II don't know" was the hoarse an
swer. ..Some animal, of course" and
A. - =,
The scratching on thero continued,
and now another howl was heard,
which seemed to come directly down
the chimney, as though the beast was
contemplating the chances of effecting
an entrance that way. Jack seized the
poker, stirred the fire into blaze and
threw on some dry sticks A shower
of sparks and flame assembled, and the
noise on the roof indicated that the
visitor. whatever it was, had been
driven back by this unexpected greet
ing. 1t half slid, half jumped to the
great drift. which at the north end OF
the house reached the caves Then it
gave a more frightful howl than ever.
and an answering chorus of banks and
howls came from all sides OF the cabin.