| Front Page |
| Local News |
| Sports |
| Community Events |
| Trail of History |
| Obituaries |
| Classifieds |
| Times of Worship |
| Archive |
| School Menus |
|
| Search |
Content Management by interactivetools.com.
In October of 184_, on a bright cool day, when I was hastily summoned to visit a patient (This is Dr. Thornton who is visiting a patient), who had met with a severe accident some 30 miles distant. My preparations were speedily made, my trusty horse saddled and waiting at my door. To follow the stage route, with which I received the message, was fully 30 miles, and as I knew the case to be of extreme emergency, I decided to follow a path leading through the forest, and in so doing lessen the distance some 10 or 12 miles. This path lay through a most dangerous part of the forest, however, and to tell the truth, I was not altogether free from uneasiness as I entered upon it, as wolves and other wild animals still abounded in these forests. However, a physician’s duty to his patient was my first consideration and I set out. The first few miles lay through a sparsely settled country; these were quickly covered, after which I entered upon an unbroken stretch of forest for a distance of 10 miles. At the end of this, however, there was a small clearing. I was wending my way along with what speed I could, enjoying the crisp air and admiring the ever-changing foliage, and had heard no sound except the occasional chatter of a quail or the whirr of a pheasant as it flew across my path. In this way, I had almost reached the clearing, when my horse suddenly began to show signs of uneasiness and to quicken his pace somewhat. I stopped short, looked around, and then I looked back, but as I could hear or see nothing, I again urged my horse forward. I kept my eyes and ears strained, however, to catch any sound, for I must confess I felt somewhat alarmed. I had only covered a short distance, when he again showed signs of increased fear, and it was with difficulty that I kept him under control. I was now thoroughly convinced that he sensed danger, but in what form I was yet unable to determine. My greatest apprehension was that I was being followed by some noiseless animal and could only conjecture that it was wolves. Nothing can be so silent as a wolf when he does not care to be heard. He comes and goes like a shadow. I was not kept long in doubt, however, for the next instant I heard a call which seemed to rise and fall into a creepy sort of whine behind me. When suddenly and near at hand a cry rent the air, a foremost wolf burst into a La Le hi, La Le hi, which seemed to come from the very ends of the earth; the others answered, then burst into full view, for I had, by this time reached the clearing. I was terrified on looking back, to find that I was being pursued by four large wolves; these were not pleasant companions certainly. These great, gray ogres of the forest, gaunt, hungry looking creatures. I now fully realized my peril and put forth my utmost efforts. I knew that my chances of escape were small, as I was only armed with a revolver. My first impression was to dash across the clearing into the forest beyond and out strip them in speed if possible, but a moment’s reflection showed me that this was hazardous, as I might be dashed against the trees. There was no time for deliberation, however, as my horse had already bounded forward with the wolves in close pursuit. Round and round the clearing we sped, the howls of the wolves reverberating throughout the forest until their voices were multiplied into hundreds. I found that I would soon be at their mercy, as the strength of my horse was fast failing, and I had no hope of getting away alive, but I determined to sell my life as dearly as possible. Gradually they came nearer and nearer, when the foremost one sprang to his feet and thrust his head up as far as he could. I drew my revolver, and taking hasty aim fired; I hit him and the brute bowled over. Immediately the others set upon him after the manner of wolves, and it gave me a little time to think. Yet they quickly tore their wounded fellow to pieces and were after me again, more greedy than ever. My horse, who was already exhausted, made one more effort and sprang forward too late, however, to save me from the teeth and claws of one of them, who made a savage lunge at my leg, lacerating it in a terrible manner. As I still had two cartridges in my revolver, I turned and again fired at them, but owing to the distance or some other cause, this time without any effect except to cause them to retreat a few yards, sit on their haunches, and watch me with their glittering eyes. In the shadow of the forest, daylight was fast fading, soon darkness would settle over all, and I there alone with no weapon of defense against the appetites of three wolves. Strange as it may seem, my thoughts at this time were not so much myself, as of the suffering patient who was awaiting my coming, and who might even now be dying. Impulsively, I urged my horse forward a little, but this was a signal for the wolves to rise and advance a few steps. I stopped, they followed suit. I saw in an instant that they did not mean to approach for the present unless I made an attempt to get away. I was willing to respect their wishes. When I thus had time to reflect a little, the wound in my leg brought me to a sense of my own suffering. Upon examination, I found there was a deep flesh wound, and that it was bleeding very freely. To stanch this in some way was my next consideration as I was already feeling weak and dizzy from the loss of blood. I bethought myself of the linen bandage which I always carry with me in case of an emergency, having large saddle bags in which I carried medicines and all necessary articles. I bound up the wound as well as I could, after which I felt faint, it occurred to me to inhale some harts-horn, of which I also carried a large bottle. I poured a little on my handkerchief to sniff it. While so doing, it occurred to the wolves that this thing was growing monotonous and their appetites would not be satisfied in this manner, so they rose and continuously began to move forward. I made no attempt to move. While inhaling the ammonia myself, it came into my mind to give the wolves a sniff of it also. As soon as I became convinced of this idea, I began to make the most of it. I began by tying the one corner of my handkerchief securely to the handle of my riding whip, which I used in preference to spurs. Their approach on one side was completely cut off, owing to a small clump of young pine. In this, I was most fortunate, as their attack could only be from one side, and in this way I could defend myself the better. Thinking now that I should fall an easy prey, they dropped all caution and approached. I had poured about an ounce of this strong liquor on my handkerchief, and when they came within reach, I gave it a quick flip so that it brushed against their nostrils. See next week’s edition of The Mifflinburg Telegraph for the continuation of this story. © Copyright 2012 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Top of Page |
|
|