HUNTING A WOLF. 61 



siderable distance. But the snow liad rapidly melted 

 away, and their skill was unequal to following the trail 

 on the bare ground. They were therefore compelled, 

 very reluctantly, to relinquish the pursuit, and returned 

 to the Port grievously disappointed. The footprints 

 of one of the animals were of enormous size, and 

 showed in the snow with great distinctness. The 

 length was that of a man's fore-arm, and the mark of 

 the claws like the impress of human fingers. 



After dining with Mr. Lillie, they started after the 

 carts, which they regained at dark, after a hard ride of 

 some thirty miles. We all arose the next morning in 

 great excitement, knowing that we might expect 

 to see bufialo at any moment, for even Milton, who 

 was an old hand at " running," and had been out with 

 the Great Fall Hunt, from Port Grarry, two years before, 

 could not conceal a certain inability to sit still, and a 

 restless, nervous impatience to be at the wild sport 

 again. La Bonde rode ahead to reconnoitre, and 

 Treemiss, too impatient to wait, followed him shortly 

 after. We remained with the carts, expecting La 

 Ronde's report. He did not return, however, and we 

 presently came upon a buffalo bull lying dead close to 

 the track, a victim, doubtless, to La Ronde. Several 

 wolves were prowling about, and whilst the men were 

 engaged in cutting up the animal, we rode in chase of 

 a large white fellow. Milton led, and turned him 

 repeatedly, but missed him with both barrels, and 

 Cheadle took up the chase, but with no better success. 

 We rode over him time after time, but failed to hit 

 him, as he dodged about under our horses, snarling and 



