POISONING WOLVES. 87 



Bay territories, unless they are carefully tracked up. 

 They are so constantly hunted by the Indians, and 

 whenever they encounter man are so invariably pursued, 

 that they are ever on their guard, and escape unseen 

 on the slightest alarm. It is only when the snow 

 betrays their numerous footprints, that a novice can 

 bring himself to believe there really is any four-footed 

 game in the country. 



The tracks of wolves and foxes were numerous on 

 the lake, and the former regularly announced daybreak 

 and sunset by a chorus of howls. Being somewhat 

 afraid that our horses might be attacked by them, we 

 set baits, poisoned with strychnine, at different points 

 round the lake. The animals are so wary and sus- 

 picious, that they will not touch a bait lying exposed, 

 or one which has been recently visited. It is necessary, 

 therefore, to cover the enticing morsel carefully with 

 snow, smoothing the surface evenly over it, and not 

 approaching the place afterwards, unless a distant view 

 shows that it has been dug out by a too hungry 

 victim. The foxes especially are exceedingly cautious, 

 frequently visiting the place for days and even weeks, 

 marching round, bat not daring to enter in and 

 partake. For a long time we had no success ; many 

 of the baits were taken, and we tracked the animals 

 for long distances, but the poison appeared to have 

 had no effect. At last we were rewarded by finding 

 an immense white wolf, the unusual size of whose 

 footprints had rendered him a particular object of 

 pursuit. He had a most magnificent skin, which was 

 carefully preserved, and his carcass used as a means of 



