144 RED INDIANS EATEN BY \\OLVES. 



701 in . 1887, during which years the French govern- 

 ment paid premiums for their destruction, respectively 

 amounting to 2610, 2284 and 1920. * 



These facts will give an idea of the trouble still 

 caused by wild beasts even in Europe, and the amount 

 of damage they continue to do both to person and 

 property. In all wild countries, as may readily be 

 supposed, matters are infinitely worse; for instance 

 telegrams from Winnipeg (Canada) dated Feb. 31, 

 i8gi, state that news had reached that settlement that 

 a band of Indians encamped on the shores of the lake 

 had been attacked by a pack of 200 ravenous wolves, 

 and 1 8 men, women, and children were devoured, only 

 two escaping to tell the tale, f When we were out in the 

 Hudson's Bay Territory (as it was then called) some 

 35 years ago, such stories were common, and though 

 so large a number of persons perishing together is un- 

 usual, the numbers who met their deaths from famished 

 wild beasts in snow time every winter, was consider- 

 able. 



In the teeth of such events, it may therefore occa- 

 sion surprise to see it stated that beasts of prey are 

 in general, as we have stated, very timid creatures 

 when they come into contact with man nevertheless 

 we think we shall be supported by the general con- 

 census of opinion among travellers of experience, when 

 we say so, with regard to them on ordinary occasions : 

 though starvation as we know will sometimes drive 

 even the most timid to desperate actions. 



How completely the sense of fear is at times over- 

 come by want may perhaps be better illustrated than 



* London Times of Dec. 26, 1888. 



f See English Newspapers of Feb. 13, 1891. 



