Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1892-07-28
rushed down upon him, swapping and
snarling in a most hideous manner.

rushed down upon him, swapping ana
snarling in most hideous manner
Young Wheeler's first thought was
that his doom was sealed then and
there. But he was courageous youth,
and one of his principles was never to
say die"
Sooner than the pen is able to relate
it, he was on his feet and had sent the
foremost wolf back with one savage
kick from his stout boot. Then. grasp
ing his revolver, he put a bullet through
the next one.
This created a little panic among the
voracious beasts, and Ed took advan-
tage of the recoil to dash away toward
the creek.
to tear their dead comrade to pieces
and HEX up the blood. One dead wolf
was only morsel for fifteen or eight
cen gaunt, hungry ones, and it was not
long until Ed heard them bowling after
him again.
He had succeeded in reaching the
bank of the stream before the pursuit
was resumed.
Having tasted blood, he knew their
ferocity would be all the greater, and
he knew, too, that lie had not a second
to spare if he would save himself.
The creek bed was perfectly dry at
that place, no rain having fallen all
winter.
just before him was a drift of dead
trees, sticks and brush, left there by
the high waters of last September.
The nearest tree that would afford
him any protection was a maple tree,
which was at one end of the drift. 1t
had been blasted by lightning, and the
top, where it was splintered consider
ably, hung over, its lower branches
touching the drift.
The wolves gave him no time to
choose better retreat, for they were
at his heels before he was aware, and
as he scrambled up the blighted maple
the leader of the gang snapped at his
leg, inficting no slight wound.
But soon Ed had drawn himself ur
beyond their reach, and could dcride
their disappointed bowls and the fran
tic efforts they made to get to him.
Had it been a chilly day the young
trapper would have experienced great
er discomfort than he did. But the sur
shone brightly, and if he had brought
piece of dried meat with him to APP
pease his hunger he assured himself he
could have laughed at his unpleasant;
situation. All day the wolves surround
ed him, uttering their dismal cries, a.
| If hed1or had bnnn LOT 1OoSn
When the sun disappeared the even
ing air grew chilly. Ed began to fee
numb, and ceased to mock at the gang
at the foot of the tree.
This being freed by almost a score O.
| hungry prairie wolves, out of all reach
of human aid, and with only one bail
left in his revolver was far more seri.
Gus business til n Cd had at frs,
thought.
1t was uncertain when his fathc,
would return from the traders camp
perhaps not before morning.
Shonld a blizzard come sweeping
over the prairie, Ed knew he would bt
frozen stiff as poker.
Fumbling about in his pockets IS dis
covered a few matches, which put i new
| idea into his head.
Wolves were shy Of fire. If he could
only succeed in getting the heaps o.
dry brush and sticks of the drift below
him to ignite, he might brighten his
tormcntors away.
He resolved to put his scheme into
execution.
Removing his heavy hunting jacket
he applied one of the burning matches
to it. The jacket vas made of buck
SIX and took fire easily.
1t was soon burning brightly, and Sc
Letting 4 place in the drift suitable tc
quick ignition, Ed let the blazing coat
drop.
It twas not slow in comm .,aicating its
flames to the dry twigs an4s~5 which il
had fallen.
The young trapper watched tac fire
spread with great delight.
At first the wolves had fallen back
from the foot of the maple only a few
steps, but, as the fire crcpt steadily
toward them, burning more vigorously
every moment, they beat swift re-
treat and stood bowling from safe
! distance.
| Ed was congratulating himself or
the success of his plan when he discov
cred that he was surrounded by fire.
The drift was heaped up all around
the trunk Of the blasted tree, and this
was all ablaze before he knew it.
He dared not jump from tue tree fol
fear of landing in the midst Of the fire
His situation became more dangerous
every minute. The wolves seemed te
be deriding him now.
The smoke almost suffocatcd him
while the heat from the flames was fast
becoming uncomfortable.
A new danger suddenly presented it
self. The dead branches of the tree
which Topped down to the DRIFT were