Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-02-25
a charge not ten yards away. Three
We're shot and the rest retreated

a charge not ten yards away. Tire
were shot and the rest retreated.
Men. this is serious. If they get in
side, we're goners. Our only chanc
VIII be to fire the hay and take to thes
Two big pines outside, if we IAN. 1 tel
You, II we get out of this on our legs
Wen have something to be Thankful
for"
1t was new moon. The snow hat
stopped falling and it was getting yer,
coid. The men ran around the inclos.
ure to relieve their numbed limbs. Thu
pack was opened and a piece of raw
SAT- pork, cut into slices, was eaten
with hard tack"
My tongue is fast in my mouth. I'm
SO dry" said Max.
wen, we must grin and bear it.
Eatin' snow makes it worse. Hello!
heres a new pack comm"
Again a surge of gray backs came
swapping and yelling up the road. but
while a dozen threw themselves ON the
~earcasses. a dozen came for the fence
on a dea lope, smelling the provisions,
III II For half an hour it was load
ana nre. -Four were shot not over ten
ieet away. Their red eyes and big
teeth We're 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
oeen nifty of the last ones-see how
tney are piled up in the road. We are
ABOUT eight miles from the Sinnemaho-
nihg, and the cold will make it better
SEEDING. Let's put out" said Rodgers.
It's taking chances, but we can't
stay mere all night without fire. Let's
hang these four carcasses up in the
piie' ana that will keep 'em awhile
AFTER they finish the Others"
Dig pine stood two feet from the
renee. Mellon got over and dragged
the lead wolves in. They were yery
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
aown on the further side and they
stole away. They were not a 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 run. The snow had
frozen on top and made fair travelling.
DO your best. men. 1 believe they
are after u.s. Coming down the wind
was a sound that made them SILVER.
Thank God! Thar's the blasted pine.
We're only a short mile away. Let
out yer best ticks"
III was getting dark, but Mellon knew
the road, and it was a great relief when
they struck the clearing and halted at
the door of the low cabin. The mo-
meht Mellon pulled the latch string the
dog rushed in and evidently was fight
ing something inside, making a ire
mendous row.
what in thunder's that, a panther?"
Just then a spit and squawl were
All hands sang out: "A catI'
Give me your gun, Max, and hold
door open"
Away in the far end of the cabin, un-
der the caves shone a pair of eyes.
Mellon fired; a loud snarl, and the dog
tearing something on the floor.
When a light was struck they found
big wildcat that had come down the
chimney, attracted by some food that
lad been left behind. In a short time
'ear steaks and salt pork were frying
the fire, and all had a hearty
neal.
DO you know that the man who
'uit this cabin was killed by wolves
1850? Two years after the re-
mains of himself and dog were found
n the 'Slashes,' eight miles I'D the
reek, and a dozen wolf skulls around
lin. Well, we've just escaped the
anne to-day, and oughten to miss say
u prayers tonight"
The wolves howled around the cabin
IL night, but were gone in the norm
ng, and with the assistance of a big
ig of cider, roast turkey. bear meat
18th maple sugar sauce, Christmas
ay, 1867. was joyfully spent in the
lids of Elk county.-Philadelphia
lines.