Part 37 (1/2)

Such was the scene which met my eyes just before I fell asleep, rolled up like the rest in buffalo-robes with a knapsack for htly with countless stars overhead; and such was the scene which our caot within three days' journey of our destination, when numerous buffaloes were seen in the far distance; and as it was important to secure some fresh o in chase of the ani away to the ard, and that another opportunity of hunting the the winter

A convenient place for a caere put up for those ished to reer number of the er to go in chase, so that couard the camp

I resolved to stay behind, both for the sake of enjoying the society of Rose and Letty, as also because I had had hunting enough, and had scarcely yet sufficiently recovered to undergo the fatigue of a long run in snow-shoes Alick, though he had held out so hen leading our sether when his responsibilities were over, and was unfit to exert himself in any way; all he could do, indeed, was to step into his cariole and be dragged along over the snow

Martin was very little better, and this was the first opportunity he had had of spending any time with his parents, ere anxious to hear his adventures I had been seated with Rose and Letty before the ca on their snow-shoes and walking to the top of a slight elevation soht be obtained of the herd of buffaloes

The air was perfectly calht, and as a hard crust had for especially pleasant We went on and on, consequently, farther than we had intended, expecting every instant to coy e on the top of which alking was of no great height, and others somewhat more elevated intervened, we found, between us and the plain on which the buffaloes had been seen

Rose--who had been leading, while Letty and I walked alongside each other--at last proposed going back We--that is, Letty and I--had forgotten to watch the sun, which was already sinking rapidly towards the horizon Just as we turned I caught sight of a nu quickly over the snow For a ht be the huntsmen, but I was soon convinced that they olves

I did not at first apprehend that they were co towards us, but still I knew that it would be well to ed Rose and Letty to go forhile I kept watch on the proceedings of the wolves

We had not gone far when totowards us, and I could even hear the faint sounds of their yelping and barking coed my companions to hasten on while I followed close behind them

I was in hopes that they were ot nearer I saw that they were the larger species of prairie wolf, too probably rendered savage by hunger I now bitterly regretted having allowed o so far froreat a distance towe should only encourage the wolves to pursue us, and therefore entreating the young ladies to stop, I placedpack of brutes, ere noithin twenty yards of us

The brave girls not only did not continue running, but ca herself directly in front of Letty, and holding her hands to her neck, knowing that they were too likely to spring at it I felt that I mustat the top of my voice in order to scare them, I fired at the leader of the pack, and knocked it over; but before I could reload, the savage aniun by the barrel, I used it as a club and struck with it right and left My first blow beat doolf close to ry companions ian tearing it to pieces; but others still caely Another as on the point of springing at my throat, when I happily struck that down also; but several were at the sae rose to desperation I h I were e pack that caer to tear us to pieces?

There ain as I struck around ht A reply came from behind me It was that of human voices

I heard a shot, and another wolf rolled over I dared not for a second look round to ascertain as co to our relief Presently I heard Bouncer's deep bark and the voices of several more people Other shots followed, and as the wolves fell their co only a few brutes forby the throat one of theat Rose, pulled it down as a hound does a deer Sandy, Pat, and several of the hunting party now cauns, quickly laid low manytail and galloping off at full speed Reloading, we fired at the retreating pack, a nu away Thankful for our merciful deliverance, we returned to the camp accompanied by our friends They had followed a buffalo, which they had killed just below the ridge along which we had been walking when the wolves attacked us

Messengers arrived froes were forthwith dispatched to bring in the meat of the animals they had killed Another day was spent here, and the second hunting expedition which was sent out returned alain moved forward and reached Fort Ross, without any further adventure worth recording The ladies perforue

The fort was uninjured, and had evidently not been visited except by bears, who had ot nothing for their pains