The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1892-05-03
WITH ANGRY WOLVES
MIR. PIPeR'S ESCAPE FROM A PACK
OF HUNGRY CREATURES.

Attacked by Half Starved Beasts on a
Lonely Forest Road, an Old Man Finds a
Cave with Two Openings, One of which
the Wolves Didn't Know OF
Benjamin Piper, an old pioneer of
Jefferson county, Wis, had thrilling
adventure with pack of wolves. 1t
was one evening while he was making
his way from Watertown on foot. There
was snow on the ground, and it had last
ed long enough to make wolves unusu-
ally fierce and savage with hunger.
Piper had been warned by friends III
Watertown not to attempt the trip, but
he told them that he had not the slight
est fear. Numerous large timber wolves
had been seen near these same forests
through which Piper had to pass, but as
they had not yet ventured to attack any
one, little attention had been paid to
their presence. But now, in their des-
perate hunger and while lurking about
for something to prey upon, some Of
them had discovered Piper, and at once
set up howl for its companions. But
Piper was utterly Indifferent to their
bowls and walked boldly along.
Suddenly, just as he turned sharp
corner of the roadway among the dense
timber, large gray wolf walked across
the road slowly and deliberately about
| two rods ahead of him and then turned
and leisurely recrossed to the side from
where it came, swinging its tail aloft,
and with the hair raised on its neck. 1t
| also howled in a dismal manner, as If to
hurry up its companions, whose answers
now began to come from many direc-
| tons. Piper marched straight ahead as
if nothing had happened, save that he
picked up good sized club, intending
to throw it at the animal should it ap-
proach him again. A moment later TIE
same wolf trotted out from the brush
much nearer to him than before, and
Piper hurled the club at the animal with
tremendous force. But quickly stepping
aside and lodging the weapon, the wolf
planted itself in the middle of the road
and was not disposed to move any farther,
but showed it's teeth savagely and uttered
| more bowls for its companions.
A DESPERATE SITUATION.
Piper now began to get frightened
He gathered sticks and stones and hurled
them at the wolf until it was glad to get
out of his way and let him proceed. But
he knew from the sounds still coming
behind him that a pack of the animals
was on his trail and he would need tt
make haste or they would soon Overtak'
him. He was a strong man and very
fleet of foot, but he had had no expecta
ton of winning against lot of wolves
in a foot race, should they determine t.
pursue him. So he concluded that h
must at once bring all his wits into pla.
and, if possible, deceive them. The for
est trees around him were rather small
to climb and be safe among thei
branches, and he did not relish the ide
of being kept up in tree all night il
such cold weather.
The desperateness of the situation
called to his mind a singular cave con
p tanning two narrow openings, and h
concluded that it might afford him pro
lection and give him chance to defen
himself. SO away he hurried for tn
cave. 1t was now long after dusk, bu
the moon shone brightly, yet owing t
the shadows of the trees Piper exper
enced considerable difficulty in tindln
the entrance to the cavern. BefO1
crawling into the narrow passa3ewa
he secured a large, heavy club to us
:, should the wolves attempt to follow hi
into his retreat. He was scarcely half
dozen feet inside ere he heard their no
rible bowls near the entrance. and sa
. their eyes like balls of fire glaring
him from the outside.
At first they seemed disinclined
follow after him, apparently fearing
trap, but finally the boldest one starte
. inside, and then all squeezed themsely
" into the opening until it was jammt
tight.
BAD HALF HOUR.
AS the forward wolf came within b
reach, Piper pounded it with his eli
n until it was utterly disabled, but Il
y great pressure of those from behind co
stantly brought the heads of others near
and nearer. Piper never stopped tlgf
ing, but whacked and beat and goug
and disabled wolf after wolf as tn
= came within reach. But at length t
> entrance became so perfectly filled WI