Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
Uncle Tom Andy Bill
Continued from page s

towling came nearer and nearer. We knew
then that large pack of wolves led, probably,
~ one of the two that had been at the stable
for the bin; but we were too late the wolves
rad cut off retreat When they saw US,
hey at once charged in our direction. We
each fired into the pack but while we must
have killed at least two of their number, we
did not check their onrush.
Run for your life and climb tree! cried
B.lser.
But was running before he had uttered
he first word of his warning, and he was COM
ing after me as fast he could. We were so
frightened that made wonderful speed,
and soon reached a tree which we could climb,
standing twenty yards from Solomon's stable.
We could not climb rapidly, being encountered
with our guns; so we threw them to the ground
and started up the tree without them. / went
first. l hurried to get out of Balsers way. and
was none too quick; for the wolves were swarm
ing about the tree just as Balser drew his feet
up out of their reach. l tell you, those were
busy times! 1t did not take US long to get
astride a limb, and to thank Heaven that we
were not on tt: ground. Had we been at the
root of the TIRE the wolves would have torn
Us to pieces in less time than Nab could say
The limb on which Ba1ser and had found
refuge was not more than ten feet from the
ground, and the hungry wolves in their des-
peration sprang almost up to US. Of course,
-hey forced US to draw up our feet so quickly
and so often that Balser said he felt as though
ne was dancing jig
THE noise the wolves made was terrifying
safe for the time; but we were terribly fright
ened, and although we were accustomed to
danger the strain on our nerves was all that
we could bear.
I DO not know what hour it was when we
1 climbed the tree; but do know that it
seemed ages while we waited IN the cold, listen
ing to the awful wolf concert. After a long,
shivering silence, Balser said:
"'Their noise is not pleasant; but hope
the wolves will remain here bowling at us. l
hope they will not think of attacking Solomon.
If he will keep still. perhaps they will forget
him. and when they, find they can't reach US.
{" Don't build any hopes on their going
away l answered. Hungry wolves never
I'VE sat in the tree hour after hour. and the
wolves did not desert us. My life! but it was
coldi thought my very blood would freeze.
We watched the east, hoping for the break of
dawn; but the sun seemed to be stuck down
below the horizon somewhere, and almost
lost hope for the dawning of another day.
Balser and sat very close to each other to
save what warmth we could. When he grew
drowsy. did all in my power to arouse him,
and he performed the same service for me.
Great cold produces drowsiness, and If sleep
overtakes one under conditions such as ours
were, all hope is lost,-one is apt to freeze to
death. But in our case there was danger to
be feared from sleep greater than that OF
freezing. Should we become unconscious, we
might fall to the ground, and then the good
Lord only could help us.
"The pack of wolves bowling under
the largest l ever saw. They numbered at
least fifteen. All of them seemed of ire
1nendous size: but the captain leader was
the largest wolf l ever beheld. These sa-
gacious animals choose leader with more
deliberation, and in many instances more IN
telligence, than we use in selecting our officers.
AT intervals the wolves would become quiet
for time, and peace would reign for a moment
or two; but the big, hungry captain would
soon jump for US again, giving forth terrific
howl He might have been called the howl
master; for, like singing teacher, he gave
the keynote, and the wolf choir took up the
refrain.
Il cannot at all 'escribe to you the tedious,
trightful hours of ar and pain we passed in
the tree; but after what seemed lifetime of
agony, we saw few faint gray streaks coming
in the east, followed by blush of pink and
soon the sun was up. We had hoped and ex-
pected that the wolves would leave at sunrise;
but they chung to us with persistence that we
could have admired had their effort been in
good cause.
81 believe they have forgotten Solomon
said I.