The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1905-10-19
An Encounter With
Wolves and a Bear

1t was nothing unusual in the early
pioneer days to hear near the settle
ments the mournful, menacing bowls
OF wolves. Nor were encounters with
them infrequent. Often lone driver
would dash into the clearing, his
team 1ecked with foam and blood,
and with two or three Of the
boldest of the pack still swapping
at their heels. More than one woods
man was forced by the fierce, hunger
mad brutes to take refuge in the
branches of friendly tree, or to de-
fend himself as best he might.
One cold, frosty morning in Febru-
airy James MILFORD mounted his horse
and set out in search Of stray COW,
which his father priced very highly.
Keep sharp lookout for wolves,
JIM" called Mr.. MILFORD as the boy
rode off from the cabin. bill Skies
told me yesterday that they were get
ting bold as lions. It's been a hard
winter, and they haven't had a good
chance at the cattle
Jim's long rifle was strapped across
his shoulders and he touched 1t sig.
niflcantly.
I've got the medicine for 'em,
father" he answered cheerfully.
Then he CLICKED to the horse and
dashed off briskly along the frozen
road which penetrated the big pine
forest
Everywhere about him were signs
Of a wild, free life. Birds rose from
the sheltered edges of the road and
darted swiftly into the tangled covert.
Squirrels frisked and chartered in the
tall oak trees, or raked among the
fallen leaves in search of buried nuts
Occasionally great, brown hawk
went whirling overhead, it's wide
wings whistling through the crisp air.
"A black bears been up that tree"
observed the boy aloud as he checked
his horse beside black gum tree on
the edge of small swamp.
The tree bore on its bark many deep
irregular marks, and in one spot,
where 1t was slightly splintered, ap-
peared few strands of coarse black
hair. In the top of the tree were
thick clusters of blue-black berries.
Here and there the limbs were twist.
ed and broken. This was caused. so
ola bear hunters had informed Jim.
by the bears pulling in the limbs to
pluck the fruit from the extreme ends
OF the branches.
"More'n likely it's the same old
scamp that's been stealin' our pigs,
thought Jim. Il believe I'll get down
an see how big his foot is. He's
out early In the season. to be sure"
Accordingly he sprang from his
horse to examine the tracks, which
were frozen in the soft marshy soil.
they were those of a large black
bear.
"Hurrah!" he exclaimed suddenly
as his eyes fell upon a number of dog.
like tracks. 1.-The old fellow must
have had company. He's either been
freed by 81 Martins hounds, or he's
travelin' with wolf pack, an a bie
one at that"
Then the boy mounted his borse
and rode on his journey, little dream.
ing that the discovery of the tracks
was destined soon to be vividly re-
called.
He had covered perhaps a quarter
OF mile when the loud lowing of a
COW attracted his attention.
There was a tense note of appeaI IN
the cry-clearly the call of a creature
in distress.
Suddenly an answering bellou
startled the woods. Turning sharply
in his saddle, Jim caught a hurried
glimpse of big, bridled bull dashing
madly toward the spot where the COW
was lowing. A moment later a COW
went running in the same direction
She too, was lowing frantically. Then
above the other sounds rose one that
made the boy SILVER. 1t was the bark.
ing of timber wolves--a fierce ever.
famished breed, ready to attack anv.
thing that came before them.
The boy thought of the danger tba,
even swift horse would incur in Tho
presence of those furious dog.Aends
Also he thought of his fathers favor.
tie COW, helpless, hamstrung. amid
that snarling, swapping circle. Mpst
he nee, or go to the rescue? He wac
tossed between two impulses. He NO.
by no means sure that his fathers
COW was in danger, But on the Other
hand he had been sent out to search
for her, and search he would. wolves
or no wolves. So urging his horso
swiftly forward, he followed in the
wake of the fleeing COW.
The course led toward a small nire.
fringed ravine, several hundred yards
distant Before he annroacbaJ