Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Extraordinary Anecdote Of General Putnam.
AN EXTRAORDINARY ANECDOTE OF GENERAL PUTNAM .
SOON after Mr . Putnam removed to Connecticut , the Wolves * then very numerous , broke into his sheepfold , and killed seventy fine sheep and goats , besides wounding many lambs and kids t This havoc was commited by a she-wolf , which , with her annual whelps had several times infested the vicinity . The young were commonly destroyed bthe viilance of the huntersbut the old
y g ; one was too sagacious to come within gun-shot ; upon being closely pursued , she would generally fly to the Western woods , and return the next winter with another litter , of whel ps * This wolf at length became such an intolerable nuisance , that Mr . Putnam entered into a combination with five of his nei ghbours to hunt alternatel y until they could destroy her . Two by rotation . * to be constantlin
were y pursuit . It was known , that , having lost the toes of one foot by a steel-trap , she made one track shorter than the other . By this vestige the pursuers recognised , in a light snow , the rout of this pernicious animal . Having followed her to Connecticut river , and found she had turned back in a direct course towards Pomfret , they immediately returned , and by ten the next morning the blood-hounds had driven her into a den , about three miles from Mr . Putnam ' s house , The people soon collected with dogs , guns , straw , fire , and sulphur , to attack the common
enemy . With this apparatus several unsuccessful efforts were made to force her from the den . The hounds came back badly wounded and refused to return . The smoke of blazing straw had no effectnor did the fumes of burnt brimstone , with which the cavern was filled , compel her to quit the retirement . Wearied with such fruitless attempts , which had brought the time to ten o ' clock at night , MrPutnam tried to make his
. once more dog enter , but in vain ; he proposed to his negro-man to go down into the cavern , and shoot the wolf ; the negro declined the hazardous service . Then it was that his master , declaringthat he would not have a coward in his family , and angry at the disappointment , resolved himself to destroy the ferocious beast , lest he should escape through some unknown fisof the rockHis nei
sure . ghbours strongly remonstrated against the perilous enterpnze ; but he knowing that wild animals are intimidated by fire , and having provided several strips of birch-bark * the on y combustible material which he could obtain that could afford light in this deep and darksome cave , prepared for his descent * Having accordingldivested himself of his coat and waistcoatand
y , having a long rope fastened round his legs , by which he might be puled back at a concerted signal , he entered head foremost , with the blazing torch in his hand . The aperture of the den , on the east-side of a vefv hi gh ledge of rocks , is about two feet square ; from thence it descends ^ oblique-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Extraordinary Anecdote Of General Putnam.
AN EXTRAORDINARY ANECDOTE OF GENERAL PUTNAM .
SOON after Mr . Putnam removed to Connecticut , the Wolves * then very numerous , broke into his sheepfold , and killed seventy fine sheep and goats , besides wounding many lambs and kids t This havoc was commited by a she-wolf , which , with her annual whelps had several times infested the vicinity . The young were commonly destroyed bthe viilance of the huntersbut the old
y g ; one was too sagacious to come within gun-shot ; upon being closely pursued , she would generally fly to the Western woods , and return the next winter with another litter , of whel ps * This wolf at length became such an intolerable nuisance , that Mr . Putnam entered into a combination with five of his nei ghbours to hunt alternatel y until they could destroy her . Two by rotation . * to be constantlin
were y pursuit . It was known , that , having lost the toes of one foot by a steel-trap , she made one track shorter than the other . By this vestige the pursuers recognised , in a light snow , the rout of this pernicious animal . Having followed her to Connecticut river , and found she had turned back in a direct course towards Pomfret , they immediately returned , and by ten the next morning the blood-hounds had driven her into a den , about three miles from Mr . Putnam ' s house , The people soon collected with dogs , guns , straw , fire , and sulphur , to attack the common
enemy . With this apparatus several unsuccessful efforts were made to force her from the den . The hounds came back badly wounded and refused to return . The smoke of blazing straw had no effectnor did the fumes of burnt brimstone , with which the cavern was filled , compel her to quit the retirement . Wearied with such fruitless attempts , which had brought the time to ten o ' clock at night , MrPutnam tried to make his
. once more dog enter , but in vain ; he proposed to his negro-man to go down into the cavern , and shoot the wolf ; the negro declined the hazardous service . Then it was that his master , declaringthat he would not have a coward in his family , and angry at the disappointment , resolved himself to destroy the ferocious beast , lest he should escape through some unknown fisof the rockHis nei
sure . ghbours strongly remonstrated against the perilous enterpnze ; but he knowing that wild animals are intimidated by fire , and having provided several strips of birch-bark * the on y combustible material which he could obtain that could afford light in this deep and darksome cave , prepared for his descent * Having accordingldivested himself of his coat and waistcoatand
y , having a long rope fastened round his legs , by which he might be puled back at a concerted signal , he entered head foremost , with the blazing torch in his hand . The aperture of the den , on the east-side of a vefv hi gh ledge of rocks , is about two feet square ; from thence it descends ^ oblique-