448 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



more to be dreaded. They stand straight in the jaws, in- 

 stead of curving upwards, and have the form as well as keen- 

 ness of the lancet-blade. Their motions are as quick as 

 lightning, and with shoulders, head, and neck possessing ex- 

 traordinary muscular power, they manage to slash and gash 

 in the most horrible manner with these villanous little wea- 

 pons, which are only about an inch and a half in length. As 

 they do not hesitate to attack any thing or any body, big or 

 little, provocation or no provocation, that may chance to 

 cross their paths, men and animals very soon learn that their 

 only safety is in flight. As they rush upon the object in a 

 body, and fight until the last of their number is slain, it is 

 fruitless to stop and battle with them, as they would cut either 

 a man or the largest animal, so badly, before they could all be 

 dispatched, that the victory would prove a dear one indeed. 



" There is no animal that will stop to fight them, and men, 

 dogs, and horses run from them in the most ridiculous con- 

 sternation indeed, they are the very terror of hunters." 



