l88 HUNTING THE GRISLY. 



that a great wolf had attacked the horse. The 

 poor animal had been bitten terribly in its 

 haunches and was cowering upon them, 

 while the wolf stood and looked at it a few 

 paces off. In a moment or two the horse 

 partially recovered and made a desperate 

 bound forward, starting at full gallop. Im- 

 mediately the wolf was after it, overhauled it 

 in three or four jumps, and then seized it by 

 the hock, while its legs were extended, with 

 such violence as to bring it completely back 

 on its haunches. It again screamed piteously ; 

 and this time with a few savage snaps the wolf 

 hamstrung and partially disembowelled it, and 

 it fell over, having made no attempt to defend 

 itself. I have heard of more than one incident 

 of this kind. If a horse is a good fighter, 

 however, as occasionally, though not often, 

 happens, it is a most difficult prey for any wild 

 beast, and some veteran horses have no fear 

 of wolves whatsoever, well knowing that they 

 can cither strike them down with their fore- 

 feet or repulse them by lashing out behind. 



Wolves are cunning beasts and will often 

 try to lull their prey into unsuspicion by play- 

 ing round and cutting capers. I once saw a 

 young deer and a wolf-cub together near the 

 hut of the settler who had captured both. The 

 wolf was just old enough to begin to feel vi- 

 cious and bloodthirsty, and to show symptoms 

 of attacking the deer. On the occasion in 

 question he got loose and ran towards it, but 

 it turned, and began to hit him with its fore- 

 feet* seemingly in sport ; whereat he rolled 



