The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-07

shook himself clear Of his. foes and
fled; and mine began to rear and plunge
in such q manner that | could not
make use of a single weapon, and only
by main strength keep him from run
ming away with me.
1t was a terrible moment of exciting
agony; and the instant that could
release my feet from the stirrups,
leaped to the ground with yell-my
rifle slipping from my hands. and dis
charging itself by the concussion, and
my 'steed rushing like lightning after
his flying companion over the frozen
snow. Luckily, l had my loaded
pistols and my knife convenient to
my grasp; and scarcely conscious Of
what I was doing, but thinking only
that the dear mother OF my little ones
lay fairly beneath some three or four
OF the furiously fighting and snarling
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
muzzes against the heads OF two that
had turned to rend me and fired them
both together.
Both shots took effect--it could not
be otherwise-and as the two wolves
rolled howlingly back in their death
agonies, their starving companions
fell 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 my
wife, and in less, l should say, than a
minute oftime.
Ascertaining, by few anxious in
quiries, that my wife was still alive
and unframed, I babe her remain
quiet; and picking up my rifle, pro-
ceeded to load all my weapons with
the greatest despatch. AS soon as 1
had rammed the first ball home, felt
tempted to shoot another of the ami
mails; but at'that moment I heard q
distant bowling; and fearing we should
soon be beset by another pack, re-
served my fire for the next extreme
danger, and hurriedly loaded the
others. By the time I 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.
I had just succeeded in getting my
| wife more securely rolled in her pro-
tecting robe, as the safest thing I
could do in that extremity-andm my
self, pistols in hand, in defensive at
titude over her PROSTATE body
when some eight or ten more of the
savage and desperate creatures made
their appearance upon the scene.
There was a momentary pause as
they came into view and discovered
me-during which their eyes glared
and 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 a shot from one
ofmy pistols directly between his eyes,
and he rolled back upon the snow, a
part of the others sprang upon him,
as in the case OF the first. But I had
no time to congratulate myself that I
had disposed of him; for almost at
the same instant I felt the decorating
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, I placed my
pistol against the head of my assail-
ant, and stretched him quivering up.
on the snow also. I still had my rifle
in reserve; and pointing that at the
fighting pack. I poured it's contents
among them. How many were wound
ed | do not know, but almost imme
diately the space around us became
once more cleared OF our bowling
enemies-some limping as they fled
and appearing to be harassed by thu
others.
Again it appeared to me that we hat
- met with wonderful deliverance; ant
> though the wound in my thigh wa
somewhat painful, a brief examination
soon satisfied me that it would no
prove serious; and Hastily proceeded
to reload my weapons-my wife mean
time getting upon her feet, embracing
me tenderly, and thanking heaven TO
2 our preservation.
: ."Oh, the dear children" she ex
claimed, with maternal tenderness
t "little do they know how near the,
9 have come to being made orphans
1 and left alone in this solitary wilder
r ness! Let us hasten home to then
: while we have an opportunity"
+ eve have no opportunity"
gloomily replied. clark! there ar
e more foes in the distance! Do you no
h hear them?"
t "And are they coming this way
s too!' she tremblingly inquired.
= II fear So"
L ooh, heaven, what, then, will b.
e come Of us?" she exclaimed; 'tfor al
y almost certain that we shall not bot
5; survive third attack" =.a. p.
y II see but one escape" said I, an:
IS iously, 'We must climb q tree, an
Is remain in the branches till morning
d eve. shall inevitably freeze to deaf
W there!' she replied.
n II trust not; but, at all events, ;
n our horses are gone, we have no alte
n, native. 1 think your buffalo rob
1T we'll wrapped around, will protect ye
a from the cold, as it has done from II
10 | wolves. and aS for myself ct will q