THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 



when the ground is buried in snow, and they are half maddened by 

 long fasts, that the woh^es, Ijanding together, attempt lo overcome the 

 grizzly old patriarch that at other times they fear to approach. Should 

 they discover at such a season some solitary old boar roaming by 

 himself, the howling pack immediately follows on his track, bringing 

 others of their fellows to join in the chase, and, emboldened by num- 

 bers, hurry after their wished-for prey. ^K^qW does he know the 

 whining cry which echoes and re-echoes through the gloomy woods; 



mumy 



THE WILD ROAR 



and the stern old recluse, casting quick glances on every side from his 

 blood-shot eyes, trots rapidly over the snow, seeking some favoring 

 thicket where he can give battle to his pursuers. He appreciates the 

 danger that menaces him, and is fully aware that, should they overtake 

 him in the open woods, their numbers would be more than a match 

 even for his great strength ; and when the shrill howls break clearer 

 on the frosty air, as the eager wolves draw near he selects the matted 

 base of some fallen tree, wh<qire the roots, twisting about in fanciful 



