The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-23
BESIEGE ED BY WOLVEs.
a Lumber Prospector's Night or wakeruIness
in n louisiana Pine Forest.

From the 81. Louis Globe Democrat.
HAMRURG, Ark, May lO.--Adna Tompkins,
while looking for land for Hovey & McCracken,
lumber dealers of MuskeRon. Mich, had q
startling encounter with wolves. Mr.. Tompkins
was in Calcasieu parish, La, southwest of this
place, and ono night recently encamped in the
pineries, which are vast in area. and the very
embodiment of solitude. The man who was
with him had gone to Lake Charles. leaving
Tompkins entirely alone. Having had a hard
days work, Tompkins cooked his supper. set the
little tent in order. and retired after shutdown
to enjoy a good sleep during the night.
Before he could close his eyes. however. he be-
came conscious that there was some living thing
outside the tent. He got up, and. taking his pis-
tol in hand. crept to the door or flap Of the tent,
and. raising ii. peered out. Darkness had set
tied down over the earth. and in the gloom he
was startled to see three pairs of eyes gazing at
him. He went outside, and at once the eyes dis.
appeared. Blu the disappearance was only tenn
porary; for he had just turned to reenter the
tent when he noticed that there was around him
a,crescent Of eyes which glowed like Goals in the
gloom. and which drew nearer and nearer. He
guessed that his visitors were wolves. which
animals are rather numerous in that section Of
Louisiana. He was conscious of a strange feel.
dread. lie dischapreed His ii 81 three times sim in
rapid succession, aiming ut a pair of eyes each
swapping Of teeth. he had the satisfaction Of
knowing that his unwelcome visitors were minus
at least two of the original number.
der their companions frantic, and the taste of
blood, for. OF course. the bodies of the slain
made. the survivors more determined and ag-
gressive. The dark and lonesome pineries re-
sounded with unearthly bowls. and the wolves
marshalled for an attack. closing in on the little
tent and its solitary occupant like a besieging
army investing a fortified city. The crescent OF
Place was aas'aiHeeopmaH Complete sfo Circle dra ' Of aery eyes. ID The he
wolves came apparently from every direction.
creeping sho9dn % 9q ats Of + the h tall grass; sprinEing from tho
very heart of the woods.
Tompkins went in the tent, and. fastening the
Then he, seated himself on q cracker box and
tried to look the situation square in the face.
a a pack @fs q F'G perhaps Smlsy Won wolves 'n lowing hove M1sd Around @isa
him, with the evident determination Of picking
his bones. His only weapon OF defense was a
hours until the wolves would make their way way
inside. His predicament was not only hazard
ing that %inaction, at such time was almost a
crime, he grassped his revolver IN one hand and
the WoiS candle Wb IN the M.r other nr.s aHd sailed I1dsd,1 forth srannd The he
every side. fell back at the sight of the light, and
their backward movement gave Tompkins an
tent. 1t had once been a forest monarch,
but its massive trunk and Limbs now lay in
ming had thrown it. He gathered a handful Of
the broken limbs and ignited them with the
candle; then he got an axe from the tent and out
the larger limbs and made q circle around the
tent, the wolves meanwhile watching him, and
ever and anon swapping at his very heels. But
came dangerously near he kept them back with
Q brand from the fire he had already started.
and in a little while it was burning brightly, and
the wolves skunk back into the deeper recesses
light, while the wolves howled in the pines.
With the coming Of the day they disappeared.