The Princeton union., 1897-02-25

ma 1nSraSkuenlssh --h3rd hunters fEiI q
tremor. What chance would they nave
If these gray demons scaled the fence?
It took three point blank volleys to
drive them back. The wounded howled
and bit themselves in frenzy. Al though
an hours respite was given, there were
evidently new arrivals every minute.
Now and then a rush could be heard
through the brush like the tramping Of
a drove of ponies. .5
All the attacks had been from one
quarter, but it was evident that they
were being surrounded. The dog made
rush for the fence behind, and Max
yelled Here they are on our backs!"
Sure enough, half dozen we're making
charge not ten yards away. Three
We're shot and the rest retreated.
Men, this is serious. If they get in
side, we're goners. Our only chance
Will be to fire the hay and take to these
two big pines outside, if we cam I tell
you, if we get out Of this on our legs
We'll have something to be thankful
for.'' s
It was new moon The snow had
stopped falling and it was getting very
cold. The men ran around the inclos-
ure to relieve their numbed limbs The
! pack was opened and piece of raw
salt pork, cut into slices, was eaten
with hard tack "
My tongue is fast in my mouth, I'm
50 dry said Max.
Well, we must grin and bear it.
Eatin' snow makes it worse. Hello!
here's a new pack comm ISL
Again surge of gray backs came
swapping and yelling up the road, but
while dozen threw themselves on the
carcasses, a dozen came for the fence
on dead lope, smelling the provisions,
no doubt. For half an hour it was load
and tlre. Four were shot not over ten
feet away. Their red eyes and big
teeth were plainly seen. Finally, un-
der the fire, the pack melted away.
Now, if no more new ones come, we
are safe for awhile, There must have
been fifty of the last ones see how
they are piled up in the road We are
about eight miles from the sinnemaho-
ming, and the cold will make it better
shedding. Let's put out" said Rodgers.
It's taking chances, but we can't
stay here all night without fire. Let's
hang these four carcasses up in the
pine, and that will keep EN- awhile
after they finish the Others
A big pine stood two feet from the
fence. Mellon got over and dragged
the dead wolves in. They were very
thin, but as large as big bear hounds.
SkeWering the hind legs together they
were secured to the pine limbs ten feet
up, and now the fence was let quietly
down on the further side and they
stole away. They were not mile off
when the bowling was heard. The
pack was fighting over the dead ones,
All hands took hold of the sled and
kept on a dead rum The snow had
frozen on top and made fair travelling.
do your best, men. believe they
are after us" Coming down the wind
| was sound that made them shiver.
Thank God! Thar's the blasted pine.
We're only a short mile away. Let
out yer best licks.''
It was getting dark, but Mellon knew
the road, and 1t was great relief when
they struck the clearing and halted at
! the door of the low cabin. The mo-
ment Mellon pulled the latch string the
dog rushed in and evidently was fight
ing something inside, making a tres
mendous row.
What in thunder's that, panther?"
Just then spit and squawl were
heard. All hands sang out: A cat!'
"Give me your gun, Max, and hold
the door open"
Away in the far end Of the cabin, un-
/ der the caves, shone pair of eyes.
! Mellon fired; loud snarl, and the dog
/ was tearing something on the floor.
1 When a light was struck they found
a big wildcat that had come down the,
chimney, attracted by some food that
had been left behind. In a short time
bear steaks and salt pork were fryina
over the fire, and all had a hearty
meal.
"Do you know that the man whe
built this cabin was killed by wolves
1 about 1850? Two years after the re-
mains Of himself and dog were found
in the .Slashes,' eight miles up the
creek, and a dozen wolf skulls around
him. Well, we've just escaped the
same to-day, and oughten to miss say
in our prayers tonight
i The wolves howled around the cabin
all night, but We're gone in the morn
ing, and with the assistance Of big
! jug of cider, roast turkey, bear meat,
with maple sugar sauce, Christmas
4 day, 1867, was joyfully spent in the
wilds of Elk county. Philadelphia
Times.
About Emerson.