The National tribune., 1893-05-04

III from two to il years OF age, 10
w where his mining operations
were being prosecuted. There
Tere no inhabitants save Indians, who were
4 times none too friendly, and n comparatively
mail number of mining operatives within 200
niles. A log cabin with three rooms, substan-
fally built, was their habitation. 1t had all
lhe comforts, considering the time and place.
The mining camp was at first near by. but was
coon removed to a distance of five miles, leav-
ing the cabin, with its occupants, quite alone.
Here the mother and her children spent all
their time, and for many successive days were
all alone.
To say she was plucky woman would but
family express the fact. In former days she
had been accustomed to fairly prosperous life
and good society. Her husband resolved to
make bold stroke for fortune. and she
seconded him with more than willingness, and
brought to the venture an energy that quite
equaled any of the progressive qualities he pos
sessed. The prospect and reality stimulated
them both and made the woman's life what
otherwise it could not have been, not only en-
durable, but in g certain sense one OF positive
enjoyment. The Indians were not really un-
friendly, but not friendly in the sense one
would naturally wish them to be. AT intervals
of week or 10 days, parties of them-a dozen
or more-wOuld visit her cabin TO beg and
steal. in which they were always successful to
q certain extent Her husband sent regularly
generally after her welfare. Every two or
three weeks her husband came and spent day
or two Beyond these visits and the unwel-
come ones by tho Indians, the little woman
with her children lived perfectly isolated. with
strange possibilities not 10 say dangers sur
rounding hem. say little woman" for she
did not then, nor does she now, weigh over ll0
pounds. She and her children were in perfect
health.
Winter came, and with it more frequent
visits from the Indians, who, she was well
aware, might not always be as friendly as then;
of the possibility of which she was made aware
by certain demonstrations on their part and by
fresh arrivals of mounted Indians with guns
some Of them with painted faces. The latter.
ss she knew, was unfriendly sign. The
man from camp, as he came regularly to bring
provisions and the mail, brought reports that
did not tend TO allay apprehension. Bot these
apprehepsions were little, compared TO a state
Of things which ensued. The weather grew
suddenly cold, and continued for several
days, followed by fall of snow from six to
eight feet on the level. Then came blizzard,
piling the snow in great drifts that almost
buried the cabin, which was SO built against
rather, into slope of-the mountain that the
snow on two sides was even with the roof. The
other two sides were so baTricaded that there
was no looking out, except in a narrow space or
alley, which the wind in its freak had left
directly opposite the cabins only door. In
this way the little woman and her children
were imprisoned. Of the means for keeping
wsrm she had, with prudence, enough for sew
ersl days Of siege; so also Of provisions.
Banked In as the cabin was, the condition was,
In some respects, of increased comfort 10 what
1t would have been but for the snow.
During the third night Of their imprison-
nent the wolves began to gather. The cold
and snow had driven them from their haunts
They seemed to have come in great numbers
IL 80 Il.
bowling and screechipg Filing the air as
though there were five times their actual num-
Der. The smoke from the chimney and light
from o solitary small, barricaded window
attracted the animals-no doubt instinctively
judging il TO be q human habitstion. They
climbed upon the roof and dug and scratched
20 get through. They howled and snarled at
the cracks and crevices. They butted against
the door, and had it not been made Of heavy
plank they ould have broken through. AS it
was, the woman and her children were in i'm
ninent danger. Not only did she realize this
In general way, but to her horror discovered
that plank had been wrenched from its place,
leaving an opening of two or three inches. To
this opening the starving animals would place
their noses and FL the cabin with their hideous
noises.
The woman had rife and pistol with the
use of which she Was not wholly ignorant
Both were loaded. She took them from their
place 10 be ready for the close action to which
matters were obviously tending. Peril made
her cool aud deliberate. She waited for the
moment when the opening would be large
enough for the wolf 10 insert his nose and
stood prepared with pistol in hand.
Not Only was the opening vigorously worked
at bot assaults were made on all parts of the
cabin by the Increasing throng of starving AMI
mas. The whole night was thus spent. Dur
Ing the day the wolves retired. in measure
resumiug their assaults at intervals The
little family within cooked and ate their food
with what degree Of composure and hope it
was possible TO feel The fumes Of the cooking
made the animals more ravenous.
Night came and the scenes Of the previous
"a hours were resumed. The little woman
though greatly wearied, was even more vigi.
lsnt than ever. The light that shone through
the cracks and creyices seemed 10 allure the
hungry wolves. The opening already referred
TO was the point Of the most furious assault /:
around 1t the animals gathered and scratched
and tore 10 make it larger. They fought
among themselves as If for chance 10 get
nearer TO the hole and iHto the cabin. On the
roof they snsrlcd and scratched aud howled
Ike demons. The children hardly understood
She peril Of the situation, though the eldest,
o lad OF Il years shared the feelings of his
mother. The weapons were placed where
they could be most handily used The woman
was frequently at the opening and more than
once stood ready with the rife 10 handle which
required all her strength. As help she rested
the weapon upon table so as TO bring it within
easy range AID perfect aim, so there would be
but one thing TO do-fre at the right moment.
More than once a wolf had inserted his nose
into the hole SO that it protruded into the cabin.
The woman resolved 70 shoot when his nose
appeared again, which was soon and at the
right moment there WAS an ex xplosion, followed
by piercing howl aud scattering from the
roof and sides of the cabin.
Then all silent. The animals were
frightened if none had been killed There was
o respite from further disturbance for more
than an hour, at the end OF which the wolves
were heard returning cautiously yet ferociously
but there we're no more noses inserted into the
hole, through which the woman yentured q
look. Her eyes met those of wolf thai
watched IN silence on the outside. Then otheri
scrambled upon the roof and against the side
Of the cabin. Another shot was let off The
muZzie OF the gun prOtrudng through thu
hole Another shrek and scrambling frou
the roof and away from the sides of the eabir
In this way the second night wore away. Tht
ehildren. overcome by the excitement, went {,
sleep, but the mother stood watch with IN
abated vigilance.
Morning camel Tho shouts of mon wer
heard IL the distance. They approached
slowly, the depth of the snow making il i'm
possible to come faster. The brave little wo
man OWNED the meaning at once. She knew
10 wss a relief party from the camp. More anc
,.lo sulx ffnoa II Il