The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-04-28

Rev. j. +. Ostrander, Azatlan, Wis.
had an adventure with pack of gray
wolves that was one of the most peril
Gus, perhaps, that any human being
ever passed through, and yet escaped
unharmed. Being compelled to set
out on foot, he got belated and had
crossed the Rock river on raft and
was proceeding through lonely for
est pathway when darkness overlook
him. So, fearing that he might get
lost, he decided to camp for the night
in the top of large tree which had
fallen alongside of the pathway and
which seemed to afford very conven-
lent shelter against the winds, or even
storm.
Creeping into the center of the top he
gathered some bark and linus togeth-
CIR, and by the aid of some matches
soon had kindled a fire. 1t was a cold
night, and his overcoat and boots were
wet and frozen from wading through
an arm of the river to reach the shore,
so he pulled them off to dry and began
to make himself as comfortable as pos
sible for nights rest. But hardly had
he got fixed as conveniently as he
thought the situation would allow.
when he was startled by strange
wild howl only short distance away.
Barely had the echoes of the noise died
away, when it was immediately
answered by others, and then he
realized that his location had been
discovered by that terror of the
lonely traveller, the gray wolf. His
situation was rendered more desperate
from the fact that so far as he knew
there were not any trees near large
enough for hum to climb and be safe
within their branches, and he feared
that If he left his fire he would at once
invite the wolves to make an attack
upon him. He therefore chose to re-
main where he was and defend himself
with all the strength that he possessed.
He knew that wolves are somewhat
timid at the sight of fire. and he hur-
ried up big blaze with sticks and
leaves, and then with a large club
planted himself in small opening be-
tween the limbs of the fallen tree and
there awaited their on-coming
The rustic of the leaves around the
top soon indicated that the animals had
surrounded the position, and in few
moments later they began to peer at
the minister from among the branches.
lie waited until they grew a little
bolder, when he seized some firebrands
and pelted them until they were quite
glad to take themselves out of his
reach. Then he put on more wood and
leaves and made his fire burn brighter.
The wolves readily comprehended the
nature Of the weapons with which their
foe was armed and for some time kept
at distance, but, being reinforced by
others, they again grew daring, and
once more the minister was closely
hemmed in and in great danger of being
seized. But he pelted them with fresh
brands so fast that they gave way and
retreated to the former safety limits
and there kept up series of terrific
bowls. There they sat, each trying to
ontdo the other in an effort to make a
noise that would give them more cour-
age to renew the attack, which they
finally did. No sooner, however, did
they present their heads the third time
than they received hotter reception
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treat to a more convenient locality. So
forhours the wolves advanced and re-
treated in the same manner, and al
though occasionally some of the bold
est got sufficiently near to snap at the
minister, yet they generally got well
scorched for their boldness. and were
quite willing to keep out of reach for
some TIME afterward.
Toward morning, however, the fire
was getting very much reduced for
want of fuel, and Rev. Ostrander dared
not venture beyond the treetop in
quest of more wood to replenish it. To
stay where he was appeared certain
death also, for as the fire decreased in
The dark shadows of their ugly forms
fitted and darted here and there around
him, making his situation desperate
and appalling: AS he turned from side
to side watching them approach nearer
and nearer, he decided upon risking q
piece of strategy.
Leading through the dense brush for
est, and but short distance away was
path, and he concluded to surprise
the wolves. gain that path and with
what burning brands he could collect
and carry with him to fight the wolves
with fire as he pushed toward to gain q
place of safety. Acting ION this resolu-
-tion in moment he had the brands in
his hands, and he sprang into the midst
of the wolves, sbrandishing the blazing
torches right and left, at the same time
uttering' such piercing sounds of def
ance with all the power his voice could
muster, that the whole pack of wolves