Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-05-13
NEW VOL. 50-No. l9.
Gagged.

iOl lCSSVs FhtAiSs "
OF Michigan, returned on foot to his old
home in New York State 10 obtain pos
session OF a legacy that had been willed
to him. In the same way he returned to
Michigan, passing through the peninsula
OF what was then called Upper Canada.
On Cogswood's Road, a rude highway
through the wilderness, he had the one
remarkable adventure OF his long tramp.
As dusk fell one afternoon Amos found
himself within a couple Of miles OF the
cabin OF settler named David Paterson,
with whom he meant 10 pass the night.
The district was notoriously infested by
wolves, but Amos felt no alarm until he
heard a faint cry. As he hurried on, he
soon heard a louder cry, clearly from be-
hind, and this time il was answered by a
chorus. Evidently wolves were gathering
in pack. Amos reflected that the crea-
tures in crossing the road might have
come upon his scent. and he fastened his
steps. The third prolonged howl from
behind made his conjecture almosta eer-
tainty.
The man was on foot, and unarmed.
II the wolves were chasing him, they
must catch him before he could reach
Paterson's. But he was less than a mile
from an abandoned hut that stood by the
roadside. Toward il he ran as fast as he
could.
He had been counted a swift runner in
his boyhood days, but his ears told him
that the wolves were outrunning him.
But he rushed forward at his best speed
until he had gone so far that fear lest he
had passed the hut began to trouble him.
And now he could hear the scuitle OF
paws and claws in the dry leaves. In
their eageruess the brutes had ceased to
howl Just then Amos reached slight
turn in the road, and saw the hut in little
clearing.
As he ran out OF the wood into the star
light OF the clearing the wolves began TO
howl again, with peculiar angry or des-
perate note. They were so close behind
him that il the door OF the hut had not
stood open, Amos could never have got
inside. AS il was. he had no time to
close the door. Directly opposite the
opening there was ladder. Up this
Amos sprang, although not quickly enough
TO escape savage nip al his right loot.
He fairly kicked his boot free from The
brute's fangs.
The loft was laid with loose boards.
but il served as a refuge from the mad
dened wolves, whose howls OF baifled
rage were fearful. Again and again they
charged against the ladder, and lesped so
high that Amos, hearing the thuds as they
fell back 10 the floor, began TO doubt the
security OF his position. Then a cunning
stratsgem occurred 10 him. Standing
above the door. he pushed the boards
carefully aside until there was room to
slip down one foot, which he cautiously
pushed against the open door. II swung
into place so quietly that The wolves did
moi even look round from the foot oi the
ladder. But the door had no latch, and
Amos dared not 90 low enough 10 put up
the crossbar.
That was not the end oihis scheme. but
he waited TO hear the voice OF the pack
when they should discover themselves
prisoners, as they presently did. There
was no window in the building. and The
door was the only way OF egress. The
wolves seemed TO forget their intended
prey when they found themselves Gagged,
and threw themselves furiously against
the door, which OF course helped 10 keep
il tightly closed.
Their weight made no impression on
the heavy slabs that composed The door.
But was II safe TO conclude that they
might not accidentally open Il Amos
must risk that. He was now ready for
the second part Of his strstagem. Quite
easily he pushed aside the loose clap
boards that made The roof, and crawling
out on top, dropped TO ihe ground. When
he got TO PateDon's cabin and told his
strange tale, the two men at The cabin
armed themselves and went with him 10
the hut. They soon killed the wolves
seventeen in al. The other men told
Amos that there was bounty OF pound
head on the creatures. and invited him
TO stay and get his share. But as Amos
was anxious TO get home 10 his mother
with The money he already had, and as
the collection OF the bounty might take
two or three months. he abandoned his
f5, l3s. and 3D., although II was a large
sum Of money in those days.