Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-23

fire in front OF my little shed, put .
rifle handy and Zip at my feet and
sleep sound'sa baby in cradle. If the
firegits low Zip growls and wakes me
up and throw on more wood.
But some way feel as if they'd git
me yit. I'll make mistake some day
and then they'll pile on top of me an
that'l be the end of me. A pile Of
bones gnawed white. Jest such pile
rs I've come across myself many a 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 filed nm
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.
''Thcy killed my brother" he said,
finally; IAN they'll git me-"
He rose slowly. Wal, l guess III
pull out"
30, don't be in q hurry"
"Ol Zipll git uneasy"
"Better stay all night"
80, no; couldn't think of it tall.
Wolves would clean out my whole
camp before daylight. TIarll." lie
lifted his hand. They're on the ram
page now. They always are before n
storm" Affair." off, blent with the rising
snarl Of the winds in the pines they
could hear the clanor of wolves hur-
rying after some flying deer The old
man prasped 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 and 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 flakes of
snow beginning to sift down through
were astir in the decps of the wood,
| and a wildcat across the river was
growing as he scrambled up or down
the cliff.
He shuddered and looked back as he
entered the warm-Gghted shanty.
Il don't want his quarters tonight"
by lingo, l should say not" said
Miller.
Holland awolle in the midst of
dream of man sinking in the snow,
and crying hep! For a 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 rcassure himself that he was
| not alone. He 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!'
He sprang to his feet and stood ir.
resolute in the middle of the floor, not
sure of his senses yet. lie leaned to
listen. 1t came louder The clamor of
yelping wolves drew nearer, and now
Enthusiastically the wild cry of man.
''llelp! 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 Il
heap on the floor. while not rod be-
hind, their red tongues tapping, their
eyes shining with grccnish phosphor-
escent, terrifying glare, came a dozen
wolves, tearing along in pursuit, and
SO savage and determined their hunger,
if Holland had not swung the door in
their faces. they could have plunged
through the open door upon the ex-
hausted hunter.
The old man rose from the floor In
sane with wrath.
Give me your rifle" he snorted,
when he could get his breath. "Lct me
get chance at them"
ne nad stayed away too long. The
fire had burned down, and the waiting
wolves had sprung upon the faithful
dog. They were gnawing his bones
when the hunter arrived. At the sound
OF his rifle they scattered, but almost
instantly turned upon him and he fed.
He loaded and fred once more, and
then backed away, holding them at bay
with his dubbed rifle. In this way he
backed all the way down the river
bank, facing the snarling pack. As he
neared the cabin he flung away his
rifle and ran-only his marvellous speed
saving him.
He wept like child. and swore in
his weeping as he thought of his faith
full dog covering there in the center Of
that circle of hungry eyes.
ITO think I'd play him such trick
at last" he groaned, and swore, cover
ing his face with his hands. "An' he
trusting in me-sayin' to them hell
hounds: old Tom'll be back soon an
you'll git out o here" An all the time