A Remarkable Escape

FIfty years ago tho country then known as Canada East was sparsely settled, especially that portion lying east of the St. Francia river and bordering on Maino. Tbo animal commonly known as ihe Canad an gray wolf was then the scourge of tlio country. They often gathered in large numbers, apparently under the guidanco of an acKnowledged leader, and attacked whataver carne in their way. Not only shecp and sinall animáis were slaughtered, bilt horned cattle, horses, and even human beings feil prev to these bloodtlrirsty scourgos. The wolf is scarcoly, f ever, known to attack any creature except somo of the smaller species, singly, as he has ever been notcd for his cowardice, but when pressed by hunger and an available opportunity for securing a good round meal is discovered by the leader of the pack, lio at snee begins to howl. This is understood and answerod by others, until, in an incredibly short time, they are all assembled, when, under tho guidance and at a well known signal from the leader, the frightful and ominous war ory, known as that of the chase, is sounded. ïhen whatever happens to bo the object of pursint is generally dooraed to destruction. The leader when he becoraes feeble by reason oí oíd age or other disabilitics, is gonerallj vanquishod in an encounter with someyounger, and more vigorous male and then set upon by tho entire pack aud drivon out to die alone. Tho wolves sometimes soen singly or in pairs in northern Maine ure said to be refugeos from northern Canada and perfeclly harmless, as their defeat and exile has rndered ihem so cowardly that no dangor need be feared, as they wil! never attack anything largor tlian a parlridge or rabbit. In the autumn of tho year 1832, noar tho close of a bright, sunny day, a traveler aLglited at a l.ttle waysido inn situutcd on tho borders oí one of those extensive Canadian foresta, knowu as the Crown lands, and callcd for a foed for his hor.se and a lunch. He was a poworfully built man, of fine personal appearance, in the prime of life, and evidently ono who had seen much of the world. Tho horse he rode. whoso symmetrical form, flnely-shaped hoad and lofty mien plainly indicated his careful breeding, was nusaddled, neatly groomed and placed in the stnble. A frugal mcal of decr-stoak, potatoes, buckwheat gr.ddle cakes and maplo honey was soon placed on tho table, to which the liungry traveler immediately proceeded to do ampie justice. To this was added a tumbler and small decanter of whisky, as at that day a drink of somc kind of liquor, especially among gentry and travelers at least, before oach meal, wns not only considered respoctable, but almost iudispensible. Of tho latter, howeyor, the guest declined to partake, rernurking that he had nevcr yet tasted liquor of any kind, and hadn't the least dosire to commence now. In rcply to interrogatories, he stated that lic was agent of a large publishing houso in Philadclphia, and bound to Quebec; that lic must basten, as hc winhed to pass the long woods that night. "Pass the woods to-night ?" exclaimed thelandlord in surprise. "Indeed you must do no such thing. The woods are filled wilh wolves, and they are unconimonly fierce. If you encounter a pack, as no doubt you will, your Jifo must pay the forfeit; so please stay whcro you are In welcomo. but I beg you win not bazzard your life in this reckless manner." The traveler. thinking his host over anxious, and as ho carried a large sum of nioney, bogan to mistrust danger from anotlier source. Tho more he pondcred, tho firmer becarao his conViction that mischief was ïueant, and the story of the wolves one of their invention to snit the occasion and their own wicked pnrpose. Fnrthermore, knowing tbo moon to be near the full and a smooth rond before him, besides being well mountel, lic anticipated nothing but n pleasant ride. Bidding his host a liasty goodby, he monntcd his horse and was soon lost to sight in the d staat forest. Nothing of interest occured to disturb the monotony of his journey until several miles or perhaps more than half the distance had been passed, when he descried a dark object at a short distanco ahead, which he at first took for sorna stray dog. The creature trotted nlong for somo distance in aleisurely manner, occasionally casting a backward glanco at the horse and rider, then with a sudden bound dlsappeared in the forest. But a few moments intervened when a short distance to his right he hcard the prolonged howls of a wolf. This was mediatcly answered by another at his left, and then another an another in different d rections, 1 11 the whole surrounding forest seemcd alive with thora. The horse, as thongh apprebending danger, pricked up his ears and quiokened his paco, the howls still continuing and apparontly coming nearer each other, all in his rear. The poor traveler heartily wished ho had heedcd the advice of his landlord, wliich ho now, alas! loo lately discovered was kindly given. Soon that frightful and ominous ory known as the chase war whoop sounded far and wide through tho snrrounding forest, enough to strike terror to the stoutest heart. Casting a hasty glnnce to his rear he d'scovered the wholo pack in full chase. The horso now bogan to run at the top of his speed, but his master soon found bim no match for these bloodthirsty wretches, encumberrd as he was with a weight of at least over 200 pounds. Drawinjt oue of his pistola as they ncared hm he fired a random shot among the pack. A quick, short yelp or kind of scream told that his shot had taken effect, causing a balt. The entire pack pitched upon their wounded comrade, teariiig him in shreds, and devoured him piecemeal. Meanwhile our hero made the most of his time, checring his now frantic horse nntil he almost seemcd to fly. But this availed but littlc, as he was soon again overtaken. Tho wolves completely maddened by the taste of blood, now becamo more fierce than before. He now fired his remaining pistol, which was disposcd of in the same j manner as the tirst Could ho have but nmintained a running fight in this manner by roloading he could possibly have gained the open country, but this was before the days of revolvers, repeating rifles and breech-loaders. Beside, in h s ngitation, thinking his : pislol of no further use aíter being ! charged, they were thrown away as ' useless. What to do now was a hard J tioa. Both pistola gone, and wolvcs all nround hlm, miles from tho open country or any shelter or habkntion. The noble beast now began to pant for breatb, aud as he imagined, to faller in his gait. Tlio wolves wero snapping on either sido of him, snapping at his legs and the flanks of his horse. ' Knowing that he couldn't hold out rnuch longer at this rale of speed, lic, in his aflection for his faithful steed, was actuated by the thought of se vering the girlhs of his saddle, throwing himself nmong his savagc parsaars, and thereby glying liis oompanion a chance for bil üfc. Fatttng his arched neck' he exelaimcd: "Poor, Pompey, 1 1 fear they will piek your bones tonight!" The wolves liad now got in advance of the horse, some jumping for his nose and throat, while otliers wero Irying to seize him by the hamstring; Ibeir distended eyeballs flash' ng firc, and their horrid fangs glistening in the moonlight Ho was about to give over in dispair, when, like a shock of electricity, the thought came to h s mind, his snuff box! To thiok was to act. Ceing au invetérate snuft" taker, and betng quite an epicuru in lliat way, he had faken the precaution before leaving home to próvido himself with a packago of primo oíd Maca boy. Sciz'ng his saddle bags, he tore them oj)cn, crushed the package at a grasp, and cast the contenta in llicir upturnod faces. Tho seene that followed beggars description. All the fiends of the infernal región let loóse could never more than cqual it. A niomentary s.lence and then with an tinearflily cry of mingled rago and pain they abnmloned their object of pursuit and pitching into each otlier thoy commeneed tear ng and fightiug in the most horrid marmer. The horse continued his flight, soon arriving at. a farm house, where every attention was paid to both horse and ridei that kindness and their limited mcans could furnish. Tbe next day, tho horséseeming somewhat jadeel, ho conchulcd to slop a few days and recruit; also try and recover lost property. his mouey, pistol, clothes and papers of niueh value all being gone. Accompanied by two of the neighbors he returned to the scène of his advenluros. All his lost property was found iiist where it was dropped. but the scène of the conflict was a sight to bchold; by counting tails, ears and feet, all Ihat seemed lo bc left, they judged that over twenty wolves wero killed and devourcd by their bloodthirsty comrades. The wolves soon disappeared froin that neighliorhood never to return, except now and then a straggler.- Ex.