DEATH OF THE WOLF. 191 



each side of it ; they gave a bound or two backwards and 

 forwards, and then, apparently with one accord, rushed in 

 upon him and got the same hold they first had. 



The poor wolf could no longer shake them off. He was 

 too weak. The tactics that Nip and Tug had been practising 

 upon him had told upon his strength. He was very groggy 

 on his pins, and the dogs shook him to and fro as though he 

 was drunk. 



Soon the blood commenced to ooze from his nostrils, his 

 eyes turned a dull greenish-white, his tongue a grayish- 

 purple, his legs gave way under him, and he fell dead ! 



The dogs let go their hold of the wolf and lay down pant- 

 ing and licking their hurts. I looked them over, and was- 

 glad to find that, excepting Tug's ear, they were not much 

 the worse for the fight. A few bruises from the steel trap 

 received in the tussles, and some gashes but skin deep being 

 the extent of their wounds. 



They had killed their formidable adversary within twenty 

 minutes of running into him. 



My mule *had also conducted himself uncommonly 

 well ; certainly he was accustomed to the smell of blood, 

 as also to that of the skins of wild beasts, having packed 

 into camp many a dead coyote, wild-cat, and deer, still 

 it would not have surprised me had he manifested con- 

 siderable terror at having a live wolf fighting almost under 

 his nose ; but, on the contrary, he had stood perfectly 

 still, regarding the scene with that look of contemplative 

 wisdom which is common to owls, mules, and learned 

 judges. 



I had brought a lump of cold roasted venison with me, 



