Hunting In Many Lands 



faint barking of the fox-hounds. As the sounds 

 became more audible, it was evident that the 

 hounds had spHt into three packs — conclusive 

 that there were at least three wolves. My 

 chances were improving, and I was arranging 

 my dogs most carefully, that they might be 

 slipped evenly. My knife, too, was within con- 

 venient grasp, and the fox-hounds were point- 

 ing directly to me. Beastly luck ! I saw my 

 neighbor, the hunter of young wolves, slip his 

 barzois, and like a flash they shot through the 

 small pine trees, splashing as they went. From 

 my point of view they had fallen upon an ani- 

 mal that strongly resembled one of themselves. 

 In reality it was a yearling wolf, but he was 

 making it interesting for the barzois as well 

 as for all who witnessed the sight. The strug- 

 gle did not last long, for soon two of the bar- 

 zois had fastened their long teeth in him — one 

 at the base of the ear, the other in the throat. 

 Their holder hastened to the struggle, about 

 lOO yards from his post, and with my knife 

 gave the wolf the coup de grace. His dogs 

 had first sighted the game, and therefore had 

 the priority of right to the chase. So long as 

 the game was in no danger of escaping no 

 neighboring dogs should be slipped. His 



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