Year: 1876




The Ottawa Free Press prints the follow
ing account OF an adventure by Mr.. John
A. Gum, in the township of Blake, Que
bee


Being cutler in the employ of Messrs.
McLsren Co. on the Gatineau river,
set out on the morning of the 29th of Feb
ruary, in company with two Indians, to as
certain if any tresspasses had been commit
ted on limit owned by that firm, the said
limit being northeast of the Gstineau river,
and running parallel with Duieyre. Ap-
preaching the foot OF the mountain, be-
held full IN view, and only a short distance
away on a small eminence, pack OF wolves,
twenty-seven in number, deyouring the re-
mains of deer This was rather an un-
pleasant position TO be in, and the only re-
course for safety was retreat or TO climb
tree The former | decided on without
much delay. but on turning about found
that the two Indians had gone. | saw to
my revolvers as my best friends immediately,
and found them all right. determined TO live
as long as could and to sell my life as
dearly as possible | began TO retreat. how
ever, with all the haste that my physical
powers were capable of. but was soon alarm
ed by hearing the bowling Of the wolves IN
pursuit.


Believing that prudence was the better
part of velor, ," concluded to climb tree,
and though it took me but Il few moments
to reach convenient bough, was none
too quick, for the pack was nigh on hand
anxious Tor a fresh dish after disposlng OF
the deer. They drew up in line, about ten
wards from the tree, and considering the
opportunity good ole. commenced to
blaze away at them, with deadly effect, no
less than four falling in answer to seven
shots This destructive fire did not abate
their fury in the least, and proceeded to
draw my second revolver, when. untortun-
atelv, IL caught in twig and was Jerked
out of my hand TO the ground. | now ielt my
predicsment a worse one than ever, fearing
that they would remain and starye me out or
until should become benumbed with the cold
and fall an easy prey TO the rayenous pack
NV buffalo coat | had left in the cutter
and, being very thinly clad, began very
soon to experience the effects of the cold. Tht
wolves. | believe, realized my helplessness
and became bold accordingly. They walk
ed up to the foot Of the tree. which was a
very small one, and as they could not react
me by leaping, they began TO gnaw 1t down
had been in many tight place before. II
whale fishing and other periious positions
and flatter myself have never been mueh
Of coward but on the present occasion
with hungry pack OF wolves methodical
ly at work, one after the other, gnawinE
away the tree on which had taken refuge.
began to feel loose about the jaw, and my
! spirits went down to forty-tve Fahrenheit


However, an idea occurred to me; de
! cided upon plan. Taking out my KNIFE


cut the longest limb could reach, and leay
ing u hook on the end of it caught holt
of large cedar tree about ten teet OIL, ant
as the wolves continued gnawlng and m,
perch got more and more unsteady, pulie'
on the pole and drew the tree over TOWARD
the cedar. With desperate exertion. an'
after several minutes of deep anxiety,


succeeded in gaining the cedar and took uI
safe position among the branches. IN


wolves uttered fierce howl and took thei


departure, but did not venture to descent


from my perch until the last sound irou


them was heard from the distant hills