The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14
FIGHTING WOLVES.
A Desperate Battle Once Waged by
Three Lumbermen.

lOuuOu OIApHics
Not many years ago the center of the
lumber region every winter saw large
camps established. Among the employees
at one station were three brothers, as fine
specimens of humanity as could be seen in
q days march. Soon after the SHOWS fell
they had a grievance, some difference of
opinion with the boss, or head man, so
they resolved TO leave and make their way
to the nearest settlement. distance of
about three days journey. The snow was
not yet In good order for travelling, be ing
exceedingly Loose and puwdery, the result
OF the lowness of the thermometer, 10
thaw having occurred since it Tell.
Hos ever. our adventures were lusty
of body and stout of heart: so
sunrise one brilliant morning saw
them start, carrying but "a light
''pack" and only armed with their axes.
As they slowly progressed through the
painless forest they became aware that it
was becoming seusibly colder, but this
was not matter of great import to them,
for there were sheltered hooks 10 be found
and fuel in abundance existed on every
side. The pine forests at this season of
the year are very silent. for nearly all the
birds have emtgrated TO warmer climes:
even the wild QuadrupedS seem to be af-
fected by this silence. and, with the excep-
ton of The bay lynx ana timber wolf, all
have lost their voices On the third day,
as the woodmen were passing along the
margin of cedar swamp. they became
conscious of the vicinity of wolves by
hearing an occasional yelp.
The animals are so little dreaded by ma
ture human beings In this country that the
travellers scarcely paid attention TO the cir
cumStance, but when they had gained n
well-liniDered ridge cry was heard in the
distance, as II n pack OF foXhounds was in
full chase of game The lumbermen at
once cOpcluded that the pursuit was after
moose or caribou and, with natural
curiosity, halted with the hope of witness
ing part OF the hunt. This they did
sooner than expected aud in n more dsa-
greeable way than anticipated, for, COM
ing up the slope which they had already
traversed were distinctly 10 be seen sew
eral large wolves. followed by numerous
retinue, and, without doubt, they were
running upon the mems trail. No time
was TO be lost; immediate action had at
once to be taken, so the three brothers
placed their backs TO a giant tree, and,
with their trusty axes, resolved 10 sell
their lives as dearly as possible. The first
onset was led by four most powerful
beasts. Two of the lumbermen, with
adroit skill, disposed of their respective
foes; not SO with the third man. His lead
ing assailant fell. but before he could raise
his AK he was pulled down by the other
brute, and but for his prompt presence of
mind he must have been severely torn, IL
be further used, the brave fellow dropped
it, threw himself on his knees and buried
his sheath-knife in the rib of his assailant.
This thrust was so Immediately successful
In its results that in moment after he
had recovered his former weapon and his
position against the tree.
In the meantime his brothers had been
busy: their GOODNESS and dexterity hau
done fearful execution, we'll Gttested by
the dead aud manned brutes that sur
rounded them. The lesson that had been
taught the leaders began to tell upon their
followers, for they now hesltated to charge
home, but retained a respectful distance.
which was soon followed by all retiring
into the forest retreats, doubtlesSly con-
scous that lumbermen could not be
molested with impunity. The truth of
this story cannot be doubted, for next
spring the heads of the slain were pre-
sented to the proper authorities to enable
the brothers to claim the royalty upon
wolves skulls,