Year: 1871

HUNTERS ADVENTURE.


1t was near the foot of the Rocky Noun
tains, just after you cross the Great Amer
icsn Desert and enter upon the narrow
belt of fertile land which lines the foot of
the mountains. We had encamped as
early as two o'clock in the day, in orderto
let our animals rest and feed for we had
been travelling hard all the week, and this
was Saturday, and we intended remaining
here until Monday.


The spot was wild, picturesque and beau
tiful, and was upon small tributary OF
the South Fork of Platte River. We
pitched our tent in bunch Of stunted &C.
dars, that served to keep off the burning
rays Of June sun.


Having eaten my dinner of dried butfa-
lo-mvat, smoked my pipe, and filled my
knapsack with tobacco, matches, and some
other necessaries that l always carried, so
as to be provided for in case ofemergency,
l threw my bullet-pouch over my shoul-
der, bucklcd on my belt containing my
trusty knife, and, taking my rifle in my
hand, sauntered away alone, up the little
stream, leaving my companions lounglng
and smoking under the trees.


] had walked perhaps more than three
miles, when beautiful herd of five ante
lopes sprang up from under bank, where
they had been drinking, and bounded
away over the prairie toward tina bluffs. l
watched them until they disappeared be-
hind a small rise, and then followed.


A walk of nearly two miles brought me
to the top Of the ridge; and crawling up
on my hands and knees, discovered them
quietly feeding in the valley, at the edge
OF the wood, distance Of mile away
Lying behind huge rock, which here
protrudes itself, drew forth piece of red
flannel from my knapsack, and fastening it
to my ramrod, I waved it over my head
The timid little animals were not long in
discovering it, and, after gazing few mo.
ments, they started with the feetness Of
the wind directly toward me.


Sticking the ramrOd In the ground, l
cooked my gun and quietly awaited their
approach They boldly advanced, the
leader coming up within sixty yards, and
turning half around to see if his compan.
ions were following, thus exposing his side
to me. l fired, and had the satisfaction OF
seeing the animal fall, while his compan.
ions dartcd away and disappeared IN the
woods.


The sun was already sinking below the
mountains, whose shadow threw gloom
over the prairie, and it must soon be dark
l was five miles from camp, weary and
hungry from my long tramp; and, besides
l wished to 20 up the valley little furthel
in the morning. So l decided to remain
where was. threw the deer across my
shoulders, and walked to the foot of the
| h; OF frio 1cI n, :,
the grass, and some brush and clump O.
make my fire.


BY the time l had finished my supper o.
delicious steak, aud drank my fill from
the little brook, and seated myself for {
smoke, it was fully dark; and the bowling
of the wolves in the distance, the gloomy
shadows of the dark forest beyond thu
stream, the signing of the wood-all con
spir, to make me feel gloomy and lonely


The bowling of the wolves began tt
grow more frequent and more distinct
and began to feel little uneasy as
smoked my meerschaum, and gazed into
the fire, when l thought Of the fresh mea
that was near, knowing that it would draw
them hither.


was uneasy, although had slept many
times upon the prairie when the wolves
were prowl;ng around, and felt uncon
ccrncd; yet had never seen such an i'm
mense number gather iu 80 short time,
and was fearful lest their hunger nigh,
tempt them to attack me. It is true was
in no Immediate danger, as thero wae q
clump of trees a short distance of, and by
climbing one of these could easily pei
out of their reach; but I disdained tc
climb a tree for them, and knew if did
that they would gather around and keep
me up the tree all night at least.


Meanwhile the hungry basts began tc
approach the camp fire, snuf11ing, bowling
and sometimes fighting, and trotting
around in circle Just outside the light.
| grew more uneasy, and rose to my feet
and grasped my rifle, as one more bold
than the rest advanced within the fire light
toward the dead antelope, swapping his
teeth, his eyes cleaning like balls of fire;
He retreated instantly into the gloom, bu,
did not remain long before he returned
and this time 1 fired at him, more to
frighten them than anything else; but l
crippled him so severely that he could
only drag himself out of the freight
where he was pounced upon by bis
hungry comrades and devoured.


had but little fear Of them as long as
my fire kept bright; but soon it began to
60 down, and it was impossible for me to
go after any more wood, as knew well
enough they would attack me as soon as
stepped outside the light.
began now to feel that my situation
was no enviable one and 60 wish that l
had availed myself OF the opportunity to
get into the woods while these wolves
were still on the hill. But now it would
be almost certain destruction for me to
attempt to reach the trees, unless could
by some means triehtcn the savage brutes
away which did not see much prospect
of doing, for they sevued to grow boldcr,
and the sound of my rifle would only
scatter them for moment, aud tntn they
would return and snap, and snort and
howl, and fight, aud trot around me in a
circle, their eyes glaring upon me as if
they could hardly restrain their appetite
for my blood. ] had never seen them in
such numbers, never 80 bold as they were
| that night, and as my fire burned to bed
; of Goals, and the circle grew gradually
smaller, felt that sooner or later must
be devoured, unless some unforeseen
Providence intervcned.


I had just emptied my rifle among them
and was re-loading as fast as pos
sible, when a new actor appeared on the
scene.


The wolves suddenly turned UP their
noses, as with common consent they
darted away into the gloom, some of them
passing very close to me in their attempts
to escape and full grown panther
sprang into the tire-light and, landing
within ten feet of where | stood, he paused
for moment to gather himself for a
spring upon me. I had no time for
thought or action. My gun was but half
loaded; and I instinctively grasped my
knife and drew it from the sheath, as with
low, vengeful, horrid growl, the mon
ster sprang upon me. / dartcd quickly to
one side, throwing up my left arm as |
dld so, holding my knife in my right; and
and rs he came down his left paw struck
my shoulder, his claw sinking deep into
the flesh, while he seized my arm be-
tween his teeth, almost crushing it,


My right hand being free, my knife in
stantly sank to the hilt in his side. We
rolled together on the ground, and a
desperate struggle for life ensued. man.
aged to keep my right arm free, and gave
him several telling plunges with my knife;
while the monster still II tanned his hold
Of my left arm, while his claws tore and
rent my clothes and flesh in the mos: hor-
rid manner. felt my strength fast leav-
ing me. while I Strngrled with the dcs-