142 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



make any resistance when set upon by them. Sir John 

 Richardson tells us that a wolf, wounded by a musket- 

 ball, returned after dusk, and carried off a dog from 

 among fifty others, who howled piteously, but did not 

 dare to try and rescue their companion. 



Several wolves will combine, and forming a semi- 

 circle, creep slowly towards a herd of deer, if there be 

 a precipice near, and hemming them in gradually, so as 

 not to alarm them suddenly, drive them to the edge of 

 the precipice. Then they all at once set up the most 

 terrific yells, and taking flight, the poor deer leap over 

 the precipice, where the wolves follow them at their 

 leisure by a safer path, to feed on their mangled 

 carcases. 



On one occasion a troop of nine white wolves 

 endeavoured to practise the same trick upon Sir 

 John Richardson, evidently intending to drive him 

 into the river. However, when he rose up they halted, 

 and on his advancing, made way for him to go to 

 the tent. 



The lovers of tragic histories will find many of the 

 most fearful kind among the legends of all countries 

 where wolves abound, all probably founded on fact, but 

 mostly interwoven with romance. There cannot be any- 

 thing much more shocking than that of the solitary 

 traveller galloping into a village pursued by these 

 beasts, and knocking at the doors, earnestly entreating 

 for refuge. The inhabitants were mostly buried in sleep ; 

 some few heard and did not move ; others had a dim, 

 confused notion of what was passing, and also remained 

 in their beds ; while others again did not hear anything 

 The next morning the sad event was told by finding the 

 traveller's cloak and a few bones. 



