256 A WOLF HOVERING. 



ask, " Had we not cause to think deeply, and exclaim, 

 ' If the Lord himself had not been on our side' ? " 



May 9. (Temp. 2.) On the low northern point of this 

 island we deposited our surplus provision, leather boots, 

 and every useless article of hamper which had been un- 

 fortunately, but stealthily, crammed upon the sledges, 

 giving the crews some additional hundreds of weight not 

 estimated in the two hundred pounds per man. My 

 previous arrangement had contemplated the return of 

 Mr. Allard from the depot ; but, having re-victualled his 

 sledge there, we again moved forward, taking him five 

 days further. I think I hear my good old friend, Sir 

 W. N., exclaiming, " That confounded racehorse spirit !" 

 etc. Well, be it so -. the thought of what one once 

 could do often impels a man forward : I thought my 

 strength would enable me to return without asking any 

 one to drag me, and in this I was not deceived. Our 

 new friend, the wolf, still hung upon our rear, but not 

 disposed to make friends, or quarrel, with our Cape York 

 dogs : its habits are certainly very peculiar ; it cares not 

 for us, and frequently approached so near that it might 

 have been shot ; but it is tabu. Sailors are deemed super- 

 stitious, granted ; but let reason have its course. The 

 canine species has not uufrequently put the biped to the 

 blush. What sensible apology is there for shooting this, 

 at present, harmless beast ? and yet, by good fortune, or 

 providentially, if but a dog escape to savage life (and 

 those we have are but wolves), it may yet lead us to the 

 last resting-place of his beloved master ! Why then com- 

 mit a mere wanton act of cruelty ? The Queen orders 

 he shall live ! 



