288 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



fairly under way, I ventured to hint, that we should 

 also require a little coffee, although I announced it with 

 fear and trembling. But the greatest difficulty yet re- 

 mained ; and it was not until after many attempts that I 

 got Mrs. Le B. informed, " that we should also want a 

 little chocolate." 



" Tea, coffee, and chocolate !" exclaimed the aston- 

 ished woman; and lest some disagreeable salutation 

 should be offered me, I hastened to the other room, 

 taking shelter amongst my friends. I never shall for- 

 get the look mine hostess gave me, when I had an- 

 nounced chocolate in addition to tea and coffee ; nor do 

 I suspect that she will ever forget the party that had 

 the unreasonableness to ask for such an unheard of va- 

 riety. Since that time I have found it necessary to call 

 on Mrs. Le B., but never dared to hint that we were old 

 acquaintances. 



The North American wolf is naturally shy, and if we 

 may place confidence in those stories we hear, of the 

 ravages committed by the wolves inhabiting some of the 

 mountainous regions of Europe, he is, by comparison with 

 his brethren of the Old World, a very harmless sort of 

 creature. This great mildness of disposition is not, how- 

 ever, owing to any physical deficiency; for, although 

 certainly less voracious than the European wolf, he is 

 somewhat larger and stronger. In America they are 

 rarely known to attack human beings ; for, during a 

 long residence in a district where they were rather nu- 

 merous, I never was able to make out a clear case where 

 a person had been attacked by them. I have indeed 



