Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-30

Rev. j. F. Ostrander, Azatlan, Wis,
had an adventure with pack of gray
wolves that was one of the most peril
ous, 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
Host, 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 a very conven-
lent shelter against the winds, or even
a storm.
Creeping into the center of the top he
gathered some bark and limbs togeth-
er, 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,
30 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 a 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
enough for him 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 ticks 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
Suiiouhucu IIc pOSlIlOI, ana III 1ew
moments later they began to peer at
the minister from among the branches.
He waited until they grew 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
howls. There they sat, each trying to
oILtdo 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 Mt the