The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-07
The Wolves
OfNeWYOrk
Probyn's Statement
Tells of His Wander
ings and of Strange
Discovery.

Steps u Inc very hcdAl u INC AOA-
est. Certainly the path seemed to
become less definite and the trees
more dense as l advanced.
was becoming weary of walking
1t seemed such a useless task to
continue in the direction l had
taken, which was palpably leading
me into the depth of the mountains
instead OF away from them. Yet to
retrace my steps-what was the
good of doing that? There was a
distinct path, and surely a path
must lead somewhere.
L sat down to rest upon a moss
covered stone. There were sounds
In the forest Wilhelm spite of
myself-made me shudder. 1 knew
It was the bowling of wolves 1
heard, and could only find comfort
in the thought that the sounds were
distant, higher up the mountain
side. and it was still too early in the
year for the beasts to come down
into the valley.
1t was then that I made a strange
discovery. On either side on the
stone upon which / was seated rose
one of the great boulders which
had fallen upon the path. Between
the two there was a sort of cave
some fifteen feet in length, closed
At the top where the rocks met, and
At the further extremity. The en-
trance was concealed by heavy I'M
aergrowth, which accounted for my
not having seen II at once. Joyful
ly / congratulated myself. l had
found a spot which offered safe con-
cealment, and where l could pass
the night without fear of attack
from wolves or any other foes. As a
further safeguard to me the entrance
was so narrow that only one-man
or animaI-could pass it at a time.
and / was armed with a revolver
and knew that. my aim was sure.
1t was indeed lucky-as / told my
self-that I found such a spot, for
the hSwIing Of the wolves sounded
nearer now, and, looking out, l
could almost fancy ! saw the green
glitter of moving eyes and heard
the pattering of feet upon the dry
scattered leaves. 1t was lucky, too,
that the entrance to my retreat, was
raised somewhat from the level of
the path;.a wolf would have to leap
to assail It, and this would give me
a great advantage. 1 gained easy
access by means of the stone upon
which 1 had seated myself; this
could move away when l finally set
tied down, and then. even IL the
wolves scented me, was protected
from their attack. I cut myself
stout stick as a further defense in
case of need.
I was about to remove the stone
when of a sudden a loud yelp sound
ed so close to me that l started in
alright.
1t was Immediately followed by
others and then came a sound that
made my blood run cold-for IL
was a human scream. 1 had been
about to push the stone away, and
spring into my retreat, but now /
stood in indecision.
The scream was repeated; IL was
the voice of woman. There came
n rushing of footsteps and the
yelping of savage beasts as they
came Ieaping in pursuit. A mo-
,nent later, round the bend OF the
path in the way in which ] had
been going. the woman herself
zprang into view. She was run
ming wildly, frantically, her arms
stretched out before her crying as
she ran.
1 saw. too. that great shaggy
rVolf with glistening eyes, had
yprung out Of the wood and was
making for her with short leaps.
1t was a moment for instant
sction. I drew my revolver and
nred-luckily with immediate ef-
feet. The creature dropped, and
Without pause / seized the woman
as she-in her fear-was about to
peed past me, and directed her at
sntion to the entrance to the cave.
She understood at once. and with
considerable agility sprang into its
refuge. had barely time to
thrust away the stone and follow
her, gripping the rock with hands
and knees, befofe the pack was
vpon US, yelping. snarling. snap.
ping at one another. a hideous
hand.
had saved the woman. and for
moment we were safe. but for
how long would these hungry crea-
lures besiege US. and. might there
not. after all, be some way by
which they could tear US from our
retreat?
The woman had covered down
in the further end of the cavity;
remained at its mouth. armed with
my revolver and stick. for con-
eeAlment was useless: the beasts
had seen us and collected. a gaunt,
horrid mass, Immediately below.
They made futile springs at the
entrance OF the cave, ana STRUCK
ont wildly with my stick. shifting
each one down as he threatened a
foothold. shifting till me arms grew
weary, for the assault was unre-
hitting and I had not time to FIRE.
II was some moments before |
noticed that / was raining blows
upon nothing. For the moment the
assault was suspended and the
wolves had withdrawn. They were
seated upon their launches at
some little distance in a semi-cir-
Gle.
Evidently this denoted a change
OF tactics; they were prepared to
wait for their quarry or were
pEusing to gain breath before max
ing a fresh attack. The ground at
TIE foot of the cave was strewn
v it'll mangled bodies.
saw my opportunity. 1t was
ole not TO be lost. 1 singled out
. great shaggy brute who seemed
TO be the leader OF the pack, and
Hred. He gave a sharp yelp.
Ielped into the air. and rolled over
on his side. Then l fired again
md again, until the remaining
cur barrels of my revolver were
g, hausted. Wildly as / aimed, so
Censely were the wolves packed to-
;.'ther that each shot had its effect
l'eYerishly l began to reload.
(TO be Continued Tomorrow