Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/197

DELAWARE COUNTY. 173 mountain, which was in that range, called Pine Hillj on the head waters of the West Branch of Delaware River. I started off at full speed down this side of the mountain, making long jumps; I never felt better, and with ease to my- self, I could run a mile in five minutes ; my limbs felt invigo- rated, and my speed was superior to any of the former days. I continued so for nearly thirteen miles, and then came within sight of the wolf. He was then but two hundred yards in advance of me, and he had yet two miles farther to go before he could reach the mountain, and this through open wood. He used every effort to quicken his pace, but in spite of his exertions I gained on him. I had run but a mile since I got sight of him, and when I was within forty yards of him, he looked behind at me, and seeing no possible chance of escaping, dropped his tail between his legs and stopped ; I ran within twenty yards, and shot a ball immediately through his body, — he fell and rose again, — crack went Captain W.^s rifle, and down he dropped dead. In a moment my foot was on his neck, but we were at a loss to express our joy. We were io the midst of an extensive forest, and we knew not where ; we charged our rifles, and gave four rounds in commemoration of the four days' chase. Our difficulties were not yet at an end, for we were determined to take him home ; we accordingly took a small stick, and twisting one end, fastened it to his upper jaw, and while one carried the rifles, the other dragged him on the snow. It appeared, on examining the wolf, that I had struck him on the flank the day previous, when I fired at him, to about the depth of the ball, cutting the flesh, but not so as to retard his progress. We continued dragging him, and followed down a small branch, which we were convinced would lead us to the Delaware or Susquehanna. After proceeding about eight miles, we came to a farm-house occupied by a Mr. Sawyer ; he soon recognised us, and seeing us dragging a wolf, asked if we had IS'^