Bife on 



by tall, crowding pines. I felt drawn to its warmth 

 and repose and stepped joyfully into it. Sud- 

 denly two gray wolves sprang from almost be- 

 neath my feet and faced me defiantly. At a few 

 feet distance they made an impressive show of 

 ferocity, standing ready apparently to hurl them- 

 selves upon me. 



Now the gray wolf is a powerful, savage beast, 

 and directing his strong jaws, tireless muscles, 

 keen scent, and all-seeing eyes are exceedingly 

 nimble wits. He is well equipped to make the 

 severe struggle for existence which his present 

 environment compels. In many Western local- 

 ities, despite the high price offered for his scalp, 

 he has managed not only to live, but to increase 

 and multiply. I had seen gray wolves pull down 

 big game. On one occasion I had seen a vigor- 

 ous long-horned steer fall after a desperate strug- 

 gle with two of these fearfully fanged animals. 

 Many times I had come across scattered bones 

 which told of their triumph; and altogether I 

 was so impressed with their deadliness that a 

 glimpse of one of them usually gave me over to 

 a temporary dread. 



72 



