446 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



drive it over a precipice, and descend at leisure to feed on its 

 mangled carcass. Captain Franklin thus describes the expe- 

 dient they use : " When the deer are quietly grazing, the 

 wolves assemble in great numbers, and, forming a crescent, 

 creep slowly towards the herd, so as not to alarm them much 

 at first ; but when they perceive they have fairly hemmed in 

 the unsuspecting creatures, and cut off their retreat across 

 the plain, they move more quickly, and with hideous yells 

 terrify their prey, and urge them to flight by the only open 

 way, which is towards the precipice, appearing to know that 

 when the herd is once at full speed, it is easily driven over 

 the cliff, the rearmost urging on those that are before. m 

 The wolves of India are of a light fox-color, inclining to 

 dun, not larger than a greyhound, slenderly made, but bony. 

 The head and ears are long, like those of a jackal, and the 

 tail long, but not very hairy. There is another kind, which 

 is smaller, but not so commonly met with. The natives have 

 a peculiar mode of catching them, very simple, yet very effec- 

 tual. In some retired place, where it is ascertained they are 

 accustomed to prowl, a pit is dug with great caution, and of 

 considerable depth. The soil is carefully moved away, and 

 over the surface are spread slight twigs, and these again 

 covered with herbage, as to leave no marks of the spot having 

 been disturbed. On either side of the pit a stout bamboo is 

 stuck, and made to join in the centre, which is directly over 

 the opening below. From these poles a small wicker basket 

 is slung, containing a kid or a lamb, plentifully smeared with 

 blood, which is also spilt on the ground beneath. The trap 

 is then complete. Directed by their keen scent, as at night 

 they wander forth, the wolves are guided by the bait, and if 

 the trap be well prepared are almost sure to be found in the 

 pitfall by the peasants in the morning When in the trap 

 they fall an easy prey to the spear. 



