Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-15
THE HUNTED HUNTERS.
SKATIN ON A LAKE An d
CHASED BY WOLVES.
Fifty snarIing and Howilng Brutes sn"p'
ping Like Ficnds at the Feet OF
Two Young Men--Heip
Finally REACHED.

rated Dy TWO young men VIM "SiV
camped with party OF friends on the
shore OF n lake in Maine last winter.
They started out on skates after sup
per. II was dark in the woods on the
shore OF the lake. but the brilliancy On
the ice was extreme. A rain had
melted the snow and then a cold snap
had followed, freezing tho surface as
smooth as a mirror. The surface was
what is called snow ice, and it was al
most perfectly white. 1t glistened
like polished steel in the moonlight
There was no wind, and after the
young men had fastened on their
skates they set out to cross the lake,
distance of three miles. The steel
runners rang on the air like music,
and the cold, still air was as eXhiliar-
ating rs wine. When nearing the
! farther shore the skaters heard the
howl OF wolf, then another IA little
farther up the lake, and still another
back in the woods. The skaters stopped
and listened with bated breath.
The howl of wolf at night has
fascination in it, terrible as it is, and
one hearing it in the woods has
strange curiosity To see the bowler.
So it was with the young men, and they
stood perfectly still while howl after
howl could be heard all along the
shore line. There were only three at
first, but now it seemed as if there
must be scores of them. The first
bowls had been taken up and answered
and as their number increased they
came much nearer.
"It's pack of wolves" said Sam.
and i think we'd better make tracks
for camp"
"Oh, no" said the wise young man
from the city. lets see what they look
like. They can't run on the ice!"
Don't fool yourself about that my
boy" answered Sam. Their claws
arc sharp enough to give them a good
| foothold."
A moment later there was n regular
concert of bowls and number Of gray
objects could be dimly seen moving
about among the trees.
Come quick, old man." urged
Sam, they're coming in drove"
and, sure enough half hundred
hungry wolves broke cover and leaped
upon the ice. The city man now saw
that wolves could run on smooth ice,
and he saw also that he would have to
skate faster than he had ever skated
before ID save himself from being torn
to pieces.
The young men started for the
camp skating as rapidly as their limbs
could carry them, but the wolves.
bowling and snarling like iends in
carnate, slowly but surely gained on
them. 'Well have TO separate and
double them" said Sam, whose breath
was fast leaving him under the ter
rible strain. 1t was quickly arranged
that when the wolves came within
few feet the skaters were to turn
| quickly TO one side and circle to the
rear OF the pack, then to circle again
to the front and go on toward the
camp. In this way they expected 10
be able TO gain many yards, because
they could resume full speed much
more quickly than their pursuers.
The breathing of the painting beasts
could be plainly heard az they came
/ utdIci w lilch PiNy' i<'ti y thihS INV
depended upon the surefootedness Of
the skaters. A false stroke, slip or
a fall meant certain death. Sam gave
the word, and az the skaters turned
the pack came together in snarling.
bowling mass, the leaders by trying TO
stop suddenly being tumbled 6ver by
those in the rear.
In trice the skaters were Oft again
and had fully gained 200 yards be-
fore the pack was in full cry once
more. The shore was not more than
mile away and there was prospect
that the skaters could reach Il ahead
OF the wolves. but not in time TO gain
the camp. They doubled again when
half the distance had been travelled.
this time firing into the pack with
their revolvers rs they turned, hoping
that the shots would be heard at the
camp and bring relief.
The plan was good one and it sue
ceeded. Lights began to appear along
the shore, and the moment the land
was reached the young men hastily
threw off their skates and dashed into
the woods. They were met by Sans"
1atncr ana II uoIen lumDerInen armed
with rifles. The men had heard the
bowling OF the wolves and had under
stood the danger Of their young friends.
Sam" and his companion dashed
ahead to the camp for their rifles and
then returned to assist in the fight with
the pack, bringing with them several
of the other men.
Standing in the shadow OF the trees
the men began firing. at the distinct
forms in the moonlight on the ice.
Shot after shot was sent into the pack.
and every bullet brought down wolf.
The pack halted as broadside volley
went through it with deadly effect.
The repeaters were doing splendid
work. About twenty of the beasts
were dead in almost n many seconds,
and the others turned away i'm u