Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-02


that was to bide his time, and if the
opportunity occurred to make his es.
cape.
All that afternoon they kept on uI
the valley, and, with every step the
settler put between himself and his
cabin, his heart seemed to sink still
lower in his breast.
Night came at last, and thick gloom
filled the valley. But still the saw.
ages kept on.
The way was familiar to them, fol
it was along the trail their race had
used for centuries on their way
through the Notch.
The night deepened, and with it came
q cry that thrilled them all each time
it was repeated.
The hordes of fierce wolves were
gathering upon their trail from out the
dark ratines on either side.
The Indians and their captive has
tened onward, but the cries of the
wolves came nearer and nearer, while
each moment added to the volume OF
the cry.
They must seek a place of safety
soon or the bloodthirsty brutes would
be upon them.
The savages were aware of this, and
also that place of refuge was close
at hand.
The rock of which we have spoken
lowered before them.
Reuben knew it at a glance, for he
had seen 1t several times when on
his hunting trips in the forest.
Once upon it he knew that they
would be out of the way of the wolves.
But how were they to get there?
This question was soon solved.
With the aid of their tomahawks a
notched stick was hastily prepared,
and, leaning this against the rock, one
of the savages hastily clambered
thereon.
Then Reuben was told to do the
same. He made the attempt but it
was soon evident that he could not get
up without the aid of his hands.
Convinced Of this, the savages has
lilly unbound them, and he scrambled
up.
The other savage followed close be-
hind him. and not moment too soon.
The foremost wolf sprang at his legs
as he drew them up.
Casting the stick down among them,
they felt themselves safe.
The wolves snarled about the rock,
springing up against its sides, only to
fall back again in impotent rage.
Reuben threw himself down upon the
summit, apparently without hope or
thought of escape.
OF course there was no chance then,
and the savages seemed to know it..
At least they did not again bind his
hands, as he had feared they would
do.
The minutes went on, and below
them the wolves snarled and CRASHED
their teeth in impotent rage.
Suddenly an idea presented itself to
Reuben-a thought that seemed to
give him promise of escape.
It might not succeed, but if it failed
his situation could hardly be worse.
He watched his opportunity, and
summoned all the strength he had for
the attempt he was to make. 1t was
his only chance, and a desperate one
at that.
Selecting the moment when the gaze
Of both the savages was turned from
him, he suddenly sprang upon the
nearest, and gave him blow and a
push. Taken by surprise, it was Inn
possible for the savage to resist the
impetus given him, and. with a wild
cry, he went down over the rock into
the midst of the bloodthirsty creatures
below.
Quick as thought, Reuben turned
upon the remaining savage, who stood
as though COMPOUNDED by the fate of
his comrade, and gave him vigorous
blow. With q cry that almost drowned
the snarling of the wolves, he also
went down among them to add to their
horrid feast.
Thankful for his escape, Reuben re-
manned upon the rock till daylight
sent the wolves back to their dens,
when he descended and reached home
in safety.-N. Y. Weekly.