The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-01

don't go into no sucn business; he jests
limps off in the woods and swears
vengeance"
Holland here related story of a
siege by wolves through which he had
been. Long Tom listened with an oc.
casional corroborative nod.
That's jest it; they're sharks
Seems II they can smell n sick or
wounded man ten miles. / used to live
down N Portland when l was boy,
an | know what shark Is. A shark
is wolf in the water. A wolf is
shark in the woods"
A curious look came on his face, md
after a silence he said;
If they ever set tooth In old Tom,
he'll know his time has come to 60"
Il should think you'd keep out OF
their way II you're afraid of them,"
said Holland, cautiously.
The old man Strengthened up. His
face darkened with anger,
Say, d y mean that?"
Holland saw his mistake
''Set down. Set down! / didn't
mean anything. Still you speak as il
You kind o dreaded them" he added.
wall, l do" the hunter confessed.
but amt aired of 'em. know EN-.
Know jest how to take 'em. build
fire in front of my little shed, put a
rifle handy and Zip at my feet and
sleep soundsa baby in cradle. If the
fire gifts low Zip growls and wakes me
up and | throw on more wood.
But some way | feel as If they'd git
me yit Ill make mistake some day
and then they'll pile on top of me an
thatll be the end of me. A pile of
bones gnawed white. Jest such pile
as I've come across myself many time
In the woods" Spending his days
alone in the somber shadows of the
forest, he had grown superstitious like
the sailors. Signs and omens filled up
half his life. He travelled by signs and
built his little open shed according to
the moon and stars The sound Of the
wind was in the sad droop of his voice.
They killed my brother" he said,
finally; AN they'll git me-"
He rose slowly Wal, / guess I'll
pull out"
80, don't be in a hurry"
'0l Zip'll git uneasy"
''Better stay all night"
so, no; couldn't think OF 1t tall.
Wolves would clean out my whole
camp before daylight. Hark," He
lifted his hand. They're on the ram
page now. They always ore before q
storm" Afar off, blent with the rising
snarl Of the winds in the pines they
could hear the clamor Of wolves hur.
rying after some flying deer. The old
man grasped his rifle
I'm get back to my dog"
Hadn't one Of us better go out with
you?'
mo, I'm all right; I'm worryin'
bout Zip"
Holland went with him to the clear.
ing and said:
Come md see us; our door is always
open. Good-by. Good luck"
Good luck" replied the old man, as
he blended into the dense shadow of
the forest.
Holland turned his face upward to
the gray skies and felt fine fakes of
snow beginning to sift down through
the massive tops of the trees, Wolves
were astir in the deeps of the wood,
and q wildcat across the river was
growing as he scrambled up or down
the cliff.
He shuddered and looked back as he
entered the warm-lighted shanty.
Il don't want his quarters tonight"
"By lingo, should say not" said
Miller
Holland awoke in the midst of
dream of man sinking in the snow,
and crying help! For few moments
he could not tell where his dream left
off and his waking began. All was
dark in the room save the uneasy
flicker of the dying freight on the
walls of the cabin. The wind was
stronger without, steady and cold,
He sat up in bed to convince himself
that he was in his cabin, and felt for
Miller to reassure himself that he was
not alone. lie was about falling off
asleep again when faint and far off,
mingled with the sound Of the storm
outside, came the clamor Of distant
wolves and long drawn cry:
"Help, he-e-l-p"
lie sprang to his feet and stood ir-
resolute in the middle of the floor, not
sure Of his senses yet. He leaned to
listen. 1t came louder. The clamor Of
yelping wolves drew nearer, and now
Enthusiastically the wild cry of a man.
Help! help! For Gods sake open
the door,"
Holland flung up the bar. The noise
of beating feet was heard. He swung
the door open, and with the speed Of
desperate deer Long Tom shot across
the clearing into the cabin, falling in
heap on the floor, while not a rod be-
hind, their red tongues tapping, their
eyes shining with greenish phosphor-
esceDt, terrifying glare, came dozen
wolves, tearing along in pursuit, and
so savage and determined their hunger,
II Holland had not swung the door in