THE WOLVERINES.
The Pah Utah was the only member of the party that did not manifest any
alarm or excitement. Carelessly removing his pipe from his mouth, he
turned his head, looked at the animals a moment, and then resumed
smoking, without giving utterance to a single sound or changing his
posture in the least.
Tim O'Rooney, with an ejaculated prayer, caught up his rifle, and
turning his back toward the fire, stood like a person driven at bay and
waiting to decide in his mind the best way to strike his last blow. In
his haste and alarm his pipe fell from his mouth and lay unheeded at his
feet. Shasta quietly picked it up, handed it to him, and motioned for
him to seat himself upon the ground again. Tim stared alternately at the
animals, the Indian and his pipe, and finally gathered the idea that no
imminent danger threatened them.
Howard and Elwood also held their rifles ready for it charge from the
growling wolverines, for such they were, while the Newfoundland growled
in turn, and glared defiantly at them. The intelligent brute appeared to
comprehend that it would not do for him to sally out and charge upon the
enemy's works, but he stood ready to fight and die in the defense of his
friends.
"Why don't they attack us?" asked Elwood, seeing that they didn't
advance nearer than a dozen feet.
"Don't you know that wild animals are afraid of fire? That is what
restrains them."
"Of course! I didn't think of that. How fortunate that we gathered
enough wood to last!"
"Just look at Shasta! He doesn't even stop smoking!"
"He must know there is no danger."
"Let us try our guns upon them!"
The proposal pleased both, especially as there was no fear but what they
could make every discharge tell. Each of them singled out two of the
largest wolverines, and fired their guns at the same instant. An
ear-splitting clamor succeeded, and as the brutes scampered away in the
darkness two of their number were seen stretched out, quivering and
dying.
The wolverine is an animal found in California which unites the
characteristics of the bear, weasel, fox and wolf. It is sullen and
ferocious, and one of the most troublesome of the wood-denizens. When
first seen it is apt to be mistaken for a small bear, or rather
heavy-looking wolf. The sensuous neck and head bespeak the wolf and
weasel nature, the sly persistency the fox, and the savage stubbornness
that of the bear; while a resemblance to all four can be seen in the
general contour, appearance and habits of the animal.
Attracted, no doubt, by the smell of the cooking fish, a number of these
brutes had slyly gathered and crept to the camp, where, finding their
prey protected by the fire, they proclaimed their furious disappointment
by loud howls--half bark and half yell--springing hither and thither
among each other, sometimes vaulting over each other's backs, and
darting as close to the bristling dog as their mortal dread of the fire
would permit.
Terror stood on the outskirts of the camp, occasionally moving forward
toward the animals, as if to match his long white teeth and massive
strength against their glittering fangs and treacherous ferocity.
When the two guns were discharged the rest disappeared as if a bombshell
had exploded in their midst; but scarcely a dozed seconds elapsed ere
they closed together again, fiercer and more clamorous, if possible,
than before.
In a few moments the boys had their guns reloaded, and they immediately
repeated their former proceeding with precisely the same result. At this
point a surprising occurrence came to pass. The dead wolverines were
pounced upon by their survivors and torn instantly to shreds, and even
devoured with as much avidity as if they were Terror and his human
companions.
"Did you ever hear of such a thing?" asked Elwood, watching them in
great amazement.
"Yes; I have read of wolves doing the same, even when one of their
number was not killed but only wounded slightly."
"Any animals that act in that manner deserve death; so let's send a few
more rifle-balls among them."
"If we keep this up for a few hours I don't see that there will be any
left, and we may rest in peace."
"They will keep on gathering until there are twice that number. If it
wasn't for our fire we should have to take to the trees; and what, then,
would become of poor Terror?"
"He will get into trouble as it is," said Howard, "if we don't keep an
eye on him."
The dog had continued advancing closer to the wolverines, until there
was an imminent probability of a collision occurring between him and two
of the largest, that sprung forward until they were within a few inches
of him, when they darted back again to repeat the feint, seemingly with
the purpose of drawing the Newfoundland further toward their clutches.
Howard spoke sharply to Terror, but he paid no heed to the call. The boy
repeated it with the same uselessness, and he was beginning to become
seriously alarmed for his fate when Shasta laid down his pipe and rose
to his feet. The eyes of the three were now centered upon him.
The Pah Utah left his gun and blanket upon the ground, so that his arms
and breast, excepting a few ornaments, were bare. He then drew his keen
hunting-knife and held it rigidly grasped in his right hand. Stooping
down, he caught a blazing brand with his left, swung it rapidly over his
head a few times to give it additional blaze, and then darted away like
a meteor directly among the wolverines. The latter scattered in greater
terror than ever, but the Indian, instead of returning, actually
followed them.
The brand could only be seen flitting among the trees, its flaming glare
giving a wild, unearthly appearance to the face and breast of the Savage
as he sped swiftly in and out among the trunks and vegetation, like an
avenger bent on destroying the entire band.
One of the largest wolverines, in his wild fear, sprung so close to
Elwood that his tail whisked against him. Ere he could clear himself the
Indian burst upon him, his iron arm flashed out with lightning-like
swiftness, the wire-like fingers caught the brute by the neck, and the
knife was buried so deep in his throat that when he was thrown back he
fell limp and dead to the ground. After which Shasta sat down upon the
ground again, folded his blanket over his shoulders and appeared much
occupied in contemplating the burning sticks before him.
"Mr. Shasta, that was well done!" exclaimed Tim in admiration. "I very
much doubt whether it could be excelled by your humble servant, the
undersigned."
"I very much doubt it also," said Elwood. "I shouldn't fancy chasing
those animals with a firebrand."
"No; if you should drop it or fall down unpleasant consequences might
follow."
The boys kept up their loading and firing among the wolverines until
they had slain over a dozen. But instead of diminishing, the number
continued to increase till there must have been nearly two-score
growling, snapping and snarling around the camp-fire.