224 Hunting the Grisly 



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 recov- 

 ered and made a desperate bound forward, 

 starting at full gallop. Immediately 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 disemboweled it, and it fell 

 over, having made no attempt to defend it- 

 self. 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 either strike them down with their 

 forefeet or repulse them by lashing out be- 

 hind. 



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. 



