776 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



it became dark, whilst the blood was still flowing from its 

 wound, and carried off a dog, from amongst fifty others, that 

 howled piteously, but had not courage to unite in an attack on 

 their enemy." 



A full-grown Wolf will indeed fight any number of dogs 

 in self-defence, and will die without a thought of surrender. 

 This is not cowardice. 



Nevertheless, individuals vary so much, in this highly 

 specialized animal, that we may expect to find some that are 

 downright cowards, as well as others of heroic bravery. The 

 one described by Richardson may have been a noted desperado 

 of his tribe. 



Exceptions to the rule may be accounted for precisely as 

 in man; bodily well-being is an essential of physical courage. 

 Richardson says'^ of the Barren-ground Wolves: 



"When reduced by famine they are very abject and unre- 

 sisting. Mr. Bell once, while residing on Mackenzie's River, 

 caught a full-grown, but famished Wolf in a marten-trap tied 

 to a small log which it had not the strength to carry away. 

 He went to the Fort for a line to lead it home, and the children 

 who accompanied him back assisted in bringing it in by pushing 

 it on from behind. It made no resistance and suffered itself 

 to be tied quietly to the stockades of the Fort. The experiment 

 of taming it was not, however, made, and after the curiosity 

 of the people was satisfied it was killed." 



Chivalry in its simplest aspect may be defined as considera- 

 tion by a male for a female, on account of her sex, when the 

 sexual passion is dormant. In this light it is fair to say that 

 there is much chivalry among Wolves. Richardson records 

 many instances of such kindly consideration; indeed, I have 

 heard the question raised as to whether male dogs or Wolves 

 will at any time attack female dogs or Wolves, and vice versa. 

 I have no personal evidence to give that they will attack, but 

 I have some evidence to show that they will refrain from attack- 

 ing. A case has already been noticed in the chapter on pairing. 



"Arc. Search Exped. (of 1S48), 1851, Vol. II, p. 87. 



