156 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
red-deer, lying at the basis of perpendicular cliffs, 
from the summits of which they had, probably, — 
been forced by the wolves. These voracious 
animals, who are inferior in speed to the moose 
or red-deer, are said frequently to have recourse 
to this expedient in placés where extensive plains 
are bounded by precipitous cliffs. Whilst the 
deer are quietly grazing, the wolves assemble in 
great numbers, and, forming a crescent, creep. 
slowly towards the herd so as not to alarm them 
much at first, but when they perceive that they 
have fairly hemmed in the unsuspecting crea- 
tures, and cut off their retreat across the plain, 
they move more quickly, and with hideous yells 
terrify their prey and urge them to flight by the 
only open way, which is that towards the preci- 
pice ; appearing to know, that when the herd is 
once at full speed, it is easily driven over the 
cliff, the rearmost urging on those that are before. 
The wolves then descend at their leisure, and 
feast on the mangled carcasses. One of these 
ferocious animals passed close to the person who 
was beating the track, but did not offer any vio- 
lence, We encamped at sunset, after walking 
thirteen miles. ; 
On the 26th, we were rejoiced at passing the 
half-way point, between Cumberland and Carl 
ton. The scenery of the river was less agreeable 
