190 ON THE FEONTIEE. 



quite blown, and after regarding each other for a second or 

 two, wolf and dogs lay down panting, with their tongues 

 hanging out, watching each other. 



I could easily have shot the wolf, and in fact did draw my 

 revolver with a half idea of doing so, but put it back, 

 thinking it would be a great pity to spoil so pretty a fight ; 

 and besides, I was curious to see if the dogs would prove 

 able to kill so large a wolf without assistance, for his neck 

 was covered with such a mane of hair, and the thick skin 

 upon it was so loose, that it seemed an impossibility for them 

 to choke him. 



I determined to remain a passive spectator, unless my in- 

 terference became requisite to save a dog from being killed 

 or badly injured ; so, feeling hungry for a smoke, T filled my 

 pipe and struck a match to light it by. 



It was like an electric spark to a battery. The scrape of the 

 match seemed to simultaneously arouse the resting comba- 

 tants, and wolf and dogs sprang from their position of repose. 

 But instead of again closing with their adversary, both Nip 

 and Tug commenced dodging round him, making feints as if 

 going to rush in, and then jumping back just out of reach of 

 his vicious snap. 



The wolf, on his part, kept making short rushes, first at 

 one, then at the other, of the dogs ; but each time he sprang 

 at either of them, the other would get a bite at one of his 

 hind legs or his loins, and jerk him half round. 



At first I thought the dogs were sagaciously trying to 

 hamstring him ; but it soon appeared they were only intent 

 upon worrying and tiring him out. 



By-and-by both dogs got opposite the wolfs head, one on 



