Year: 1876

A Lumber Inspector in Canada has a Nar- row Escape---He Passes Several Hours in a Tree Surrounded by Hungry Wolves.

 The Ottawa Free Press prints the fol lowing account of an adventure by MT. John A. Gum, in the township of Blake, Quebec:

 set out in company with two In- dians to ascertain if any trespasses had been committed on limit owned by our firm, the said limit being northeast of the Gatineau river, and running parallel with the Duievre. The district is re- markable only for it's mountainous char acter, the range being called Mont Diable, or Devils mountain. I took my horse along with me so long as beaten track enabled me to do SO, when I tied him up, and continued the journey on snowshoes. We had gone only about four miles, when one of the Indians, 8 very cunning and experienced hunter, solemnly warned me to turn back, as there were unmistakable indications of wolves being in close proximity but, not needing the voice of the dusky son of the forest, I made up my mind to keep on my way, as it is principle of mine never to look back until my work is accomplished. On the present occa- sion, however, my contempt for the pro- phetic words of the Indian came near costing me dearly. Approaching the foot of the mountain, beheld full in view, and only a short distance away on small eminence, pack of wolves, twenty y-seven in number, devouring the remains of a deer. This was rather an unpleasant position to be in, and the only recourse 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 all right. determined to live as long as I could, and to sell my life as dearly as possible. l began the retreat, however, with all the haste that my physical powers were capable of, but was soon alarmed by hearing the bowling of the wolves in pursuit. I have always prided myself on my feetness of foot, as have seldom met my equal, but in this race with wolves lost ground very fast. quick ly realized that the attempt to escape was vain, for at the rate of going could not hold out long, and therefore, believ- ing that "prudence was the better part of valor," concluded to climb tree, and though it took me very few mo- ments to reach convenient bough, I was none too quick, for the pack was nigh on hand, anxious for a fresh dish after disposing of the deer. They drew up in line, about ten yards from the tree, and considering the opportunity a good one, 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 I proceeded to draw my second revolver, when, unfor- tunately, it caught in twig and was jerked out of my hand to the ground. I now felt my predicament worse one than ever, fearing that they would re- main and starve me out, or until I should become benumbed with the cold and fall an easy prey to the ravenous pack. My buffalo coat I had left in the cutter, and, being very thinly clad, l began very soon to experience the effects of the cold. The wolves, believe, real ized my helplessness, and became bold accordingly. They walked up to the foot of the tree, which was very small I one, and as they could not reach me by leaping, they began to gnaw it down. had been in many tight place before, in whalefshing and other perilous posi- tions, and hatter myself have never

 been much of coward; but on the present occasion, with a hungry pack of wolves methodically at work, one after the other, gnawing away the tree on which l had taken refuge, I began to feel loose about the jaw, and my spirits l went down to forty-fve Fahrenheit | However, an idea occurred to me I de- | cided upon plan. Taking out my knife cut the longest limb could reach, and l leaving hook on the end of it caught ! hold of large cedar tree about ten feet of, and as the wolves continued gnaw- ing, and my perch got more and more unsteady, pulled on the pole and drew the tree over toward the cedar. With 8 desperate exertion, and after several minutes of deep anxiety, succeeded in gaining the cedar, and took up safe position among it's branches. The wolves uttered & fierce howl and took their de- parture, but did not venture to descend from my perch until the last sound from them was faintly heard from the distant hills. On reaching the place where I had left my horse, found that he had got frightened and had gone. I was about striking out in pursuit, when I espied the two Indians, who were en- deavoring to secure two young moose, which they had got into kind of ere vase at the base of 8 high rock. I turned in with them, and we succeeded in taking them alive and unhurt. The Indians had courage enough to go back and skin the wolves. My horse I found at the jobber's shanty, about seven miles distant