The Wahpeton times., 1891-05-07

what! was doing, but thinking only
tnat the dear mother Of my little ones
Jay falrly beneath some three or fou,
OF the furiously fighting and snarlina
Wild beasts. l grasped my weapons,
one in each hand, cooked them at the
same instant, and, fairly jumping into
the midst OF my enemies, placed the
muzzles against the heads OF two that
had turned to rend me and fired them
both together.
Both shots took effect-it could not
De otherwise-and as the two wolves
rolled howlingly back in their death
agonles, their starving companions
iel upon them with the most ravenous
fury, and literally tore them to pieces,
and devoured them before my very
eyes, almost over the body OF nv
wife, and in less, I should say, than g.
minute oftime.
Ascertaining, by few anxious in
quirles, that my wife was still alive
and unharmed, bade her remain
quiet; and picking up my rifle, pro.
ceeded to load all my weapons with
the greatest despatch. AS soon as I
had rammed the first ball home, I felt
tempted to shoot another of the ami
mails; but at that moment heard @
distant bowling; and fearing we should
soon be beset by another pack, 1 re-
served my fire for the next extreme
danger, and hurriedly loaded the
others. BY the time had fairly com
pleted the operation, our first assail-
ants, having nearly gorged them
selves upon their more unfortunate
companions, began to stink away; but
the cries of the others at the same
time coming nearer. warned me to be
upon my guard.
l had just succeeded in getting my
wife more securely rolled in her pro-
tectlng robe, as the safest thing I
could do in that extremity-and N.Y.
self, pistols in hand, in defensive at
titude over her prostrate body
When some eight or ten more of the
savage and desperate creatures made
Their appearance upon the scene.
Ihere was q momentary pause as
they came into view and discovered
me-durins which their eyes glared
ana shone like living coals-and then,
with terrific growls and snarls, they
began to circle round me, each mo-
ment narrowing the space between
us. Suddenly one, more daring or
hungry than the others, bounded for
ward, and received shot from one
OF my pistols directly between his eyes,
and he rolled back upon the snow, q
part OF the Others sprang upon him,
as in the case of the first. But had
no time to congratulate myself that l
had disposed OF him; for almost at
the same instant felt the lacerating
fangs of another in my thigh, which
caused me to shrek with pain; and
my poor wife, with an answering
shrek, believing it was all over with
me, was about to get up and face the
worst, when, shouting to her not to
stir. that was still safe, placed nv
pistol against the head of my assaii-
ant, and stretched him quivering up
on the snow also. still had my rifle
in reserve; and pointing that at the
lighting pack. ! poured it's contents
among them. How many were wound
ed | do not know, but almost imme-
dlately the space around us became
once more cleared of our bowling
enemies-some limping as they fled,
and appearing to be harassed by the
others.
Again it itappeared tome that we had
met with q wonderful deliverance; and
though the wound in my thigh was
somewhat painful, q briefexamination
soon satisfied me that it would not
prove serious; and Hastily proceeded
to reload my weapons-my wife mean
time getting upon her feet, embracing
me tenderly, and thanking heaven for
our preservation.
claimed, with maternal tenderness;
''little do they know how near they
have come to being made orphans,
and left alone in this solitary wilder
ness! Let us hasten home to them,
while we have an opportunity"
I'VE have no opportunity" /
gloomily replied. "Hark! there are
more foes in the distance! Do you not
hear them?"
"And are they coming this way,
too" she tremblingly inquired.
| ~ fear so."
"Oh, heaven, what, then, will be-
come of us?" she exclaimed; :'for am
almost certain that we shall not both
survive third attack"
II see but one escape" said I, anx-
iously, ':We must climb a tree, and
remain in the branches till morning"
1--WE shall inevitably freeze to death
there!" she replied.
81 trust not; but, at all events, as
our horses are gone, we have no alter
native. 1 think your buffalo robe,
well wrapped around, will protect you
from the cold, as it has done from the
wolves; and as for myself, 81 will en-
deavor to keep warm by climbing up
and down, and stamping upon the
| limbs"
"But why not kindle a fire?" she
quickly rejoined, her face suddenly an
imated with ahope that was obliged
to disappoint.
"For two reasons, Ireplied. "First
because we havenot time-doyo not
hear another hungry pack howling?-
and secondly, because we have not the
materials-the loose brush and sticks
being buried under the snow."
Heaven help us, then!" moaned my
wife; "there seems nothing for us but
death! Oh, my poor, dear children!'
| bade her take heart, and not dis
pair; and then selecting large tree,
whose lower limbs were broad and
thick, but above the reach of our