The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-03-31

with the smaller ends dragging. WI
liam would step along and with . tap
with the "goad" stick on the back OF
each animal and a word to them by
name, each OK would strain at the bow
the load would squeak, stir and slowly
move OIL Its way to the landing.
Among the many stories we have
heard uncle" William tell was the
wolf story. 1t was in the great wolf
year of 1843, when deep SHOWS and
hunger had driven the Canada tim
Der wolves into the northern forest
of Maine to the great danger OF life
in the wild regions. Many, the old
woodsman who late about coming In
to camp would be surrounded by
a bowling pack of wolves. His only
course was to climb a tree and re-
main there till help arrived, some
times all night. The following story
Is given as nearly as possible as told
by Mr.. Moore. l was driving a team
for Moses Chamberlain on the Chase
Stream township. We were hauling
a mile and a half back of the camp.
It so happened that I was very late
for my last load n night, so much
so that 1t was dark when l got into
the woods. l had to cross a small
pond and take my timber on the back
side of a ridge that made alongside
of the pond. When 1 got into the
woods the men had all gone to the
camp except the sledtender and chop
per. who loaded my team. The men
had a tow path where they went across
and struck my logging road. This
path was no more than forty rods.
While | had to go around the pond
three-fourths of a mile. They offered
to go around with me but l said mo,
| could go just as we'll alone" so they
took the towpath and as | supposed
went to the camp. 1t al now pitch
dark but l drove around the ridge
and across the pond. AS my leaders
entered on the other side of the pond,
a pack of wolves set up their bowls not
three rods ahead in the road, and a
more frightful noise l never heard. All
| could see was their eyes that looked
like balls of fire. 1t frightened my
oxen so much that my leaders came
back to me and it was with difficulty
that | stopped them.
Hardly knowing what to do | made
up my mind to unhitch my oxen and
let them take care of themselves and
l would climb a tree. There was a
limby spruce standing near the road
and | knew that | could climb it very
readily. Just at that time | heard
sounds behind me on the pond and
feared more wolves were coming. The
second time l knew the sounds were
men shouting. | answered and told
them to hurry. The men had heard
the wolves and were hurrying with
all their might knowing that I must
be in danger. Strengthened my team
and we went ahead. With great eff
fort, by shouting and swinging our
axes we succeeded In driving the VOL
yes out of the road. The two men
kept them there, till I drove through.
Then we all got on to the load and
If ever a team went fast with a load
it was mine. Those devils followed
us within twenty rods Of the camp,
growing, snarling, fighting and how
ling the whole distance, sometimes
biting the ends Of the logs On which
we sat.
The next morning We went out and
from the tracks in the light snow,
found there were seven in the pack.
Although we saw no more wolves that
winter we often heard them bowling
in the distance.