Woodman's Narrow Escape From Wolves

Woodman's Narrow Escape From Wolves

Wolves have not in years been so numerous in the country bordering on Lake Superior as they are this winter. Much loss has resulted to farmers in stock killed, and in several instances men have been killed. Edward Folkson, a settler near Highland, recently had an experience with the fierce brutes that was within a minute of time of ending fatally. 

Folkson went out into a piece of timber a few days ago to cut wood. He was only a mile and a half from home and was unarmed, except for an ax. His dog accompanied him.

About 1:30 o'clock in the afternoon he heard a wolf howling some distance away, but paid little attention to it. Fifteen minutes after the wolf was heard Folkson's dog, which was hunting in the timber on his own account, rushed up to his master, evidently in mortal terror. A minute later the howling of a pack of wolves only a few hundred yards away broke the echoes of the forest. 

Folkson did not await further developments, but ran to a convenient tree and was soon safe among the branches. 

He had acted none too soon. The wolves broke from cover within 100 feet of him and rushed straight for the tree where he was perched. There were seven in the pack, full grown timber wolves, evidently maddened with hunger. They were on the trail of the dog, which had struck into the woods. 

The canine, evidently endeavoring to protect his master, remained near the tree, and the wolves fell upon him and tore him to pieces, devouring his carcass.

After finishing their repast they turned their attention to Folkson and rushed around the tree, howling and leaping at the lower branches. Tiring of this, they sat around in a semicircle and began a siege. 

This laster about two hours and a half, and then, one by one, they trotted away.