THE WOLF. 201 
were secured the flocks of the surrounding farmers. 
Still, secure though this fold was deemed, it was 
entered by the Wolves, and its inmates slaughtered. 
“ The neighbouring proprietors having heard of the 
noted Wolf-hunter above mentioned, by name Rory 
Carragh, sent for him and offered the usual reward, 
with some addition, if he would undertake to destroy 
the two remaining Wolves that had committed such 
devastation. Carragh, undertaking the task, took 
with him two Wolf dogs and a little boy, the only 
person he could prevail on to accompany him, and, 
at the approach of night, repaired to the fold in 
question. 
** Now,’ said Carragh to the boy, ‘as the Wolves 
usually attack the opposite extremities of the sheep- 
fold at the same time, I must leave you and one of 
the dogs to guard this one, while I go to the other. 
He steals with all the caution of a cat; nor will you 
hear him, but the dog will, and will positively give 
him the first fall. If you are not active when he is 
down, to rivet his neck to the ground with this spear, 
he will rise up and kill both you and the dog.’ 
“<T'll do what I can,’ said the boy, as he took the 
spear from the Wolf-hunter’s hand. 
“The boy immediately threw open the gate of the 
fold, and took his seat in the inner part, close to the 
entrance, his faithful companion crouching at his side 
and seeming perfectly aware of the dangerous business 
he was engaged in. The night was very dark and cold, 
and the poor little boy being benumbed with the 
chilly air, was beginning to fall into a kind of sleep, 
