The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-13
A FIGHT WITH WOLVES.
Miners Driven Into n Tunnel by Raw
enOus Beasts.
From the San Francisco Call.


From the San Francisco Call.
Hunters miners and ranchers generally
agree that wild animals have been holder
in the last winter than ever before in the
history of California. The long dry spell
and the consequent scarcity of small game
are accountable for this but the extremes
to which some of the beasts have gone
are simply incredible.
Up in FL Dorado county a few days ago
two miners, George Nelson and Henry
Young, were driven into a tunnel by
pack Of eight wolves and had to fight for
their lives with pickaxes and shovels. The
wolves were vanqushed but both men
are confined to their beds with wounds
According to the story told by Nelson,
it was terrible fight.
The camp of the two miners is about
four miles from Pleasant Valley. on the
hillside several hundred feet above the
camp is the entrance to the tunnel in
which the two miners work. 1t was on
the way from the cabin to the tunnel
that the wolves made the attack.
II had no idea that there were any
wolves close to camp" said Nelson. "Of
course, knew there are lots of them up
on the high mountains, but l never ex-
pected to see anything down our way any
| bigger than a polecat.
1T was early Monday morning when
Henry and l started for the mine. There
was some snow on the ground. Just aft
er leaving the cabin our trail starts right
| up the mountain side. Then it runs over
| a sort of lower spot right 10 the mouth
| of the tunnel that is at the bottom of an
| other hill.
Henry and had climbed up the steep
| ascent and stopped a moment TO get our
| breaths. Just then heard a queer bark
| back on the trail over which we had just
| passed.
Whose dog is that? I asked Henry.
Wolf said Henry. Listen.
1.-THE bark came again, and then several
| banks all at once. There was no doubt
now but what we were being chased by
| wolves, and we hadn't splinter to make
| a fight against them.
| Suddenly we saw the wolves emerge
| from little clump of timber and take 10
| our trail as if they were sure we were
| their meat. They bounded Up the hill l
stood spellbound. If II hadn't been for
! Henry / would have been eaten right
| there; but he is an old hunter and knows
thing or two about wolves.
Run for the tunnel he shouted.
grabbing my arm and almost dragging
me along. IT'S, our only chance. Grab
the picks and crowbars there Rum
| by this time the wolves were not more
| than hundred feet away and coming uD
| the hill in long jumps. We ran race that
| would have broken any track record. When
| we had covered about half the distance
| to the tunnel the wolves were not more
than fifty feet behind us and gaining.
| -" If they catch us we are gone said
Henry. Run for all you're worth
THE tunnel was only a short distance
ahead. A big fellow was just behind me.
swapping his jaws as if he was sure o.
his game.
That sight spurred me on and We
dashed right into the tunnel. At this mo-
uent | am sure the wolf in the lead MADE
a bite at my leg. But he didn't follow me
| in on the instant. The darkness scared
| him little, and that gave us the chance
| to get a few feet in the lead and gran
| the picks and shovels.
I'VE were about forty feet back to tho
| turn, and as the tunnel Is large there was
| considerable light.
Crack the first one that comes ALONG,
gasped Henry. II you show fear we a 70
gone. They'll be here in a second IL thev
are coming at all
And In a second we were right In tho
track OF fight. The big fellow thai w, /.
| right behind me only waited FOR the resi-
OF che pack 10 catch up. and then dashed
| right after us. Our running away SCENE.
| TO give the beasts courage.
THE big fellow seemed 10 have singled
me out for he jumped straight for nv
throat. ! was ready for him, ana floor