Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-03

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 a raft and was proceeding through a 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 a large tree which had fallen alongside of the pathway and which seemed to afford very conven- tent shelter against the winds, or even a storm.
 Creeping into the center of the top he gathered some bark and limbs togeth- CT, and by the aid of some matches soon had kindled 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 a 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 there were not any trees near large | 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 a 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 ill n few moments later they began to peer at the minister from among the branches. He 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 conpAAbended the nature of the weapons with winch their foe was armed and for some time kept at u distance, but, being reenforced by ] others. they again grew daring, and once more the minister was closely l. h,.:42med i'll and in great danger of being seized But he pelted them with fresh brands so fast that they gave way anC rctleStcd to the former safety limits ard there kept up a series of terrific , bowls There they sat, each trying tc oatlo the other in an effort to make { age to renew the attack, which they they present their heads the third time than they received a hotter reception than Eefore. and they were glad to re treat to a more convenient locality. SC l for hours the wolves advanced and re treated in the same manner, and al l though occasionally some of the bold est got sufficiently near to snap at thu 3 minister, yet they generally got wei ] scorched for their boldness, and wert T quite willing to keep out of reach fo
 some time afterward.
 Toward morning, however, the, fir
 was getting very much reduced fo . want of fuel, and Rev. Ostrander dareC ? not venture beyond the treetop il