142 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



The Indians who have lost their curs secure revenge by 

 killing their destroyers, as they consider that one wolf is 

 as good as four or five dogs; for not only is its skin val- 

 uable in trade, but its flesh is deemed to be palatable, and 

 to be equal to that of the dog at least in gastronomic 

 qualities. 



When wolves hunt a large animal in packs they do not 

 run together, in many cases, but secure positions on the 

 routes which the quarry is supposed to take, and bound on 

 it from cover. Their first movement is to hamstring it, 

 and when that is done they have little difficulty in finish- 

 ing it. It is no uncommon thing to meet old buffalo bulls 

 in the spring, when they are weak and shedding their coat, 

 w r ith pieces of flesh actually torn out of their hams, the 

 work of wolves; but in the autumn and winter these 

 wounds are not so readily apparent, owing to the length of 

 the hair. I have heard persons say that wolves give tongue 

 when on the trail of a deer or other animal, but I cannot 

 verify this from actual observation ; for though I have 

 seen them pursue several large quadrupeds, from the ante- 

 lope to the elk, I do not remember hearing a whimper out 

 of them while running, although they were noisy enough 

 while waiting for something in the form of food to turn up. 



When a strong pack chases an animal, it generally re- 

 sults in the death of the quarry, for wolves have speed, 

 nose, strength, patience, and perseverance; and when a 

 capture is made, it is very often the cause of a nice quar- 

 rel about a division of the spoils, and one in which ten 

 or fifteen are frequently engaged at the same time. Their 

 love of fighting is not very great, however, and they are 

 glad to quit it for a mouthful of meat at the earliest oppor- 

 tunity. 



It is amusing to see them try to capture an antelope or a 

 buffalo, and the wiles to which they resort to obtain every 

 advantage. One group may stand in front of the creature 

 to attract its attention, while another steals around to the 

 rear and attempts to cut the tendon by a sudden bound. 

 If foiled in this, they break away promptly to avoid a 



