The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-01-17

iwater, eight miles long. while Rock
land was at the southern extremity.
Between the two places the forest
stretched unbroken, and there was not
q single house on either bank.
Tue winters were cold, and from
December to April of every year the
lake was a sheet of smooth ice. We
boys became experts in the use OF
skates, and most of our leisure time
was spent on the ice. The greatest
rivalry existed between the two lake
towns. and skating matches were fire.
Queatly.s held. Although the country
was sparsely settled, nearly all the
) wild animals had disappeared before
our coming, but there were bears in
the forest and wolves-big, fierce fell
lows that hunger sometimes made dam
gerous.
One cold afternoon toward the end
of January I buckled on my skates
for a trip to Rockland to make final
arrangements for a skating match be-
tween teams from the two towns that
was set for the next day. I was late
in. starting, and the boys at Rockland
kept me so long that it was after Jun
set before I left for home. But it was
full moon, and the big yellow orb was
Just peeping over the woods at my
right as I struck out.
.. I was in no hurry and skated along
easily, saving my strength for the NOR
row.. I had gone about a quarter of
the distance when, from somewhere
away OF in the forest. there came to
my ears the howl of a wolf. All was
silent again for a few minutes. then
the sound was repeated. 1t was not
so far off this time, end there was no
answering note from the opposite shore.
That these beasts would attack a
mar never occurred to me, but being
atone On the lake and far away from
home the close proximity of the
wolves made me uneasy. aud [ quick
: ened my strokes a little.
BY this time the moon had risen
high enough to make everything light
as day, only along the eastern shore
0HS SudOOWS WSlC SllI uSuoCs Suu
denly from the woods on my right an
J 0t1er series of bowls broke out on the
night air, and as I glanced around l
SAW. half a dozen long. gaunt, gray
creatures leave the underbrush and
come racing towards me over the ice.
l realized then that the wolves were
Esasing me and grew thoroughly
frightened. My fears were increased
when I saw several more leave the
cover of the western bank, and cutting
.diagonally across, join the first pack.
I buttoned my short coat and struck
out at my best pace. thinking that
when they saw me leaving them they
would give up the pursuit.
That was a mistake, as I SCOT saw.
They, too, increased their speed, and
came bounding along after me. their
bodies almost touching the ice. Every
now and then one of them would give
voice to a shrill bark. One big fellow
led the pack by several yards. The
pace was telling on me and my pur-
suers were gaining every second. A
glance backward showed them not q
hundred yards in the rear.
Home was still four miles away and
ing in the shape of a weapon except
my jack-knife, and as I sped along l
drew this from my pocket aud opened
the big blade.
The pack was at my back when it
occurred to me that 1 might yet escape
them by putting in practice some tao
tics familiar to every one who has
played the game of "tag." These
tactics were nothing more than dodg-
ing the wolves when they came close
enough, and I knew that on the smooth
ice had them at a disadvantage.
S~iackening my speed. 1 waited for the
header of the pack to ale,roach a little
nearer. On he came, until [ could
see the fire fash from his eyes and
the froth drop from his half-open
Jaws. When he gathered himself to
spring, 1 turned sharply to the right
aud darted off at full speed.
The manoeuvre worked perfectly.
The wolf leaped just as I spun about,
aud instead OF alighting upon my
\ shoulders, he went slipping and slid
ing yer the ice for a distance Of seve-
erai yards. The rest Of the pack. in
I their attempt to turn quickly, lost their
feet and fell over each other. giving
me several precious seconds. which
used to advantage.
By my trick I had gained some dis
nee, but the wolves were closing in
Zoe again. 1 waited until the
bder was almost upon me the second
Cine, then swung about to the left
, The beast vas anticipating some such
movement on my part, for he did moi
spri7g, and l found that I had moi
gained the start that I did the 6rst
time. However, it helped. for as
heard the quick breathing Of the pack
at my heels once more. I saw the
lights of the village around Il bend in
the bank.
But the murderous beasts were toe
intent on their prey to be frightened
off even by the proximity of the set
element. My strength was nearly
gone and 1 was afraid that l coulG
not execute the dodge this time witt
The success that had followed my othel
efforts. Nerving myself for a SUI
creme effort altered my course again
and for TIE third time the wolves wen