The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-05-07


eyes, almost over the body OF my
wife, and in less, l should say, than a
minute of time.
Ascertaining, by few anxious in
quiries, that my wife was still alive
and unframed, | babe her remain
quiet; and picking up my rifle, pro-
ceeded to load all my weapons with
the greatest despatch. Asssoon as
had rammed the first ball home, felt
tempted to shoot another of the ami
mails; but at that me ment | 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 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.
| had just succeeded in getting my
wife more securely rolled in her pro
tecting robe, as the safest thing |
could do in that extremity-andm my
self, pistols in hand, in a 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 shot from one
of my 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 | had
no time to congratulate myself that |
had disposed of him; for almost at
the same instant 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, placed my
pistol against the head of my assail-
ant, and stretched him quivering up
on the snow also. l still had my rife
in reserve; and pointing that at the
fighting pack. / poured its 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 the
others.
Again it appeared to me that we had
met with wonderful deliverance; and
though the wound in my thigh was
somewhat painful, a brief Examination
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.
ooh, the dear children!" she ex-
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"
eve have no opportunity" [
gloomily replied. "HarL. there are
more foes in the distance! Do you not
hear them?"
"And are they coming this way,
too" she tremblingly inquired.
81 fear So"
"Oh, heaven, what, then, will be-
come of u.s." she exclaimed; ''for am
almost certain that we shall not both
survive a third attack"
Il see but one escape" said I, ;unx-
iously, eve must climb tree, and
remain in the branches till morning"
eve 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. | think your buffalo robe,
well wrapped around, will protect you
from the cold, as it has done from the
wolves; and as for myself, II will en-
deavor to keep warm by climbing up
and down, and stamping upon the
limbs"
"But why not kindle a frey" she
quickly rejoined, her face suddenly an
mated with ahope that l was obliged
to disappoint.
"For two reasons" Ireplied. "First
because we havenot time-doyou 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, them" 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 a large tree,
whose lower limbs were broad and
thick, but above the reach of our
enemies, l hastily assisted her to a
good foothold, and Immediately climb
ed up after her. We were not there q
moment too soon; for scarcely had we
got ourselves settledin comparative
ly comfortableposition, when another
hungry pack of our enemies appeared
below us-howling, snarling, and fight
ing-their upturned eyes occasionally
glowing fearfully in the darkness. But
we were safe from their reach; and all
that long, dismal night we remained
| CIcic, uSUeIllllS W UIleIi ulSCOfudlU
tones, and thinking of the dear ones
at home.
The hight was intensely cold and in
spite of all my efforts to keep my
sluggish blood in circulation, became
so benumbed before morning, that !
believe l should have given up and
persisted, except for the pleading voice
of my wife, who begged me to hold
out, and not leave her q widow and
my children fatherless.
Daylight came at last and never was
morn hailed with greater Joy. Our
foes now skunk away, one by one and
left us to ourselves; and afew minutes
after their disappearance, got down
and exercised myself violently; and
having thus brought back little
warmth to my system, assisted my
wife to alight, and we at once started
homeward.
scarcely need add that we arrived
there in due time, to find our poor
night-long terrified children almost
frantic with ioy at our safe return,