A TRAP MISSING. 179 



round which the chain of the trap had been fastened, and 

 going off with it. 



Thinking that before the wolf could have gone far the 

 long chain would have caught or become entangled in the 

 thicket, and that I should soon find him fast to something, I 

 followed on his tracks. However, he was, apparently, aware 

 of the danger travelling through the jungle entailed, for 

 I soon found he had left the cover for the open, and 

 there being a good tracking snow on the ground, I followed 

 him at a steady dog-trot. Before I had gone very far I 

 sighted him. He had, no doubt, seen me first, for he was 

 hopping along on three legs at a very decent pace, con- 

 sidering how he was impeded by the trap, which was 

 fast to his off fore-leg, and by the long chain dragging 

 through the snow and grass. Thinking he was going his 

 fastest, I got into a sharp run, expecting to close on him 

 directly. 



Then the wolf, changing his hop into a long swinging 

 canter, in spite of trap and chain, kept his distance in front 

 of me. 



Half-a-mile's run pretty well pumped me, and the wolf 

 being out of sight over a roll in the ground, I gave up the 

 chase for the time being, and returned to camp for my break- 

 fast, my horse, and the dogs. 



I found camp deserted, and a little note pegged to a tree 

 to inform me that Joe having seen a small drove of ante- 

 lopes had gone in their pursuit, taking with him the dogs. 

 My breakfast was soon eaten, the dead wolf dragged into 

 camp, my horse caught, saddled and bridled, and the pursuit 

 of the escaped wolf recommenced. 



N 2 



