The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-07-02

SlO us III lSSlOn.
Rev. j. +. Ostrandcr, 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
unframed. Being compelled to set
out on foot, he got belated and had
crossed the Rock river on a 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 limbs togeth-
or, and by the aid of some matches
soon had kindlcd fire. It 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
nway, 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 him to climb and be safe
within their branches, and he feared
that II 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.
lie knew that wolves are somewhat
timid ut the sight of fire. and he hur-
ried up big blaze with sticks and
leaves, and then with 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 a few
moments later they began to peer at
the minister from among the branches.
lie waited until they grew a little
holder, when he seized some firebrands
and peltcd 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 keut
Mt 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
howls. There they sat, each irving To
Guido 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 |
than before. and they were glad to re-
treat to more convenient locality. So |
for hours 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