Wolves and Wolf -Hounds. 409 



of both greyhounds and deer-hounds, the best being from 

 the kennels of Colonel Williams and of Mr. Van Hummel, 

 of Denver ; they were handled by an old plainsman and 

 veteran wolf-hunter named Porter. In the season of '86 

 the astonishing number of 146 wolves were killed with 

 these dogs. Ordinarily, as soon as the dogs seized a wolf, 

 and threw or held it, Porter rushed in and stabbed it with 

 his hunting-knife ; one day, when out with six hounds, he 

 thus killed no less than twelve out of the fifteen wolves 

 started, though one of the greyhounds was killed, and all 

 the others were cut and exhausted. But often the wolves 

 were killed without his aid. The first time the two biggest 

 hounds deer-hounds or wire-haired greyhounds were 

 tried, when they had been at the ranch only three days, 

 they performed such a feat. A large wolf had killed and 

 partially eaten a sheep in a corral close to the ranch house, 

 and Porter started on the trail, and followed him at a jog- 

 trot nearly ten miles before the hounds sighted him. 

 Running but a few rods, he turned viciously to bay, and 

 the two great greyhounds struck him like stones hurled 

 from a catapult, throwing him as they fastened on his 

 throat ; they held him down and strangled him before he 

 could rise, two other hounds getting up just in time to 

 help at the end of the worry. 



Ordinarily, however, no two greyhounds or deer-hounds 

 are a match for a gray wolf, but I have known of several 

 instances in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, in which 

 three strong veterans have killed one. The feat can only 

 be performed by big dogs of the highest courage, who all 

 act together, rush in at top speed, and seize by the 



