THE TVOLF DOG. 69 



In the momitainous parts of Tyrone the inhabitants 

 suffered much from the wolves, and gave from the public 

 fund as much for the head of one of these animals as they 

 would now give for the capture of a notorious robber on 

 the highway. " There lived in those days an adventurer 

 who, alone and unassisted, made it his occupation to de- 

 stroy these ravagers. The time for attacking them was 

 in the night, and midnight was fixed upon for so doing, 

 as that was their wonted time for leaving their lairs in 

 search of food, when the country was at rest and all was 

 still ; then issuing forth, they fell on their defenceless 

 prey, and the carnage commenced. There was a species 

 of dog for the purpose of hunting them, called the 

 "wolf dog :" the animal resembled a rough, stout, half- 

 bred greyhound, but was much stronger. In the county of 

 T3Tone there was then a large space of ground enclosed 

 by a high stone wall, having a gap at the two opposite 

 extremities, and in this was secured the flock of the siu-- 

 roundiug farmers ; but secure as this fold was deemed, 

 it was often entered by the wolves and- its inmates 

 slaughtered. The neighbouring proprietors, having 

 heard of the noted wolf-hunter above mentioned, by 

 name Eory Grarragh, sent for him, and offered the usual 

 sum with some addition, if he would undertake to de- 

 stroy the two remaining wolves that had committed 

 such devastation. Grarragh undertaking the task, took 

 with him two wolf dogs, and a little boy twelve yeai-s of 

 age, the only person who would accompany him, and 

 repaired at the approach of midnight to the fold in ques- 

 tion. " Now," said Grarragh to the hoj, " as the two 

 wolves usually enter the opposite extremities of the 

 sheepfold at the same time, I must leave you and one 

 of the dogs to guard this one while I go to the other. 



