458 DOGS IN PERIL. 



Albeit my friends and neighbours were occasionally 

 sufferers, my own dogs were never carried off by the wolves, 

 though, in one instance, they were in considerable peril. 

 This was at an after-period, when residing at Gadd aback 

 distant three to four miles from Ronnum. It occurred in 

 this manner : About midnight, I was aroused from my 

 slumbers by the furious barking of the dogs. Imagining 

 there were thieves on the premises, I at once jumped out of 

 bed, and, without waiting to put on one particle of clothing, 

 stealthily left the house, in the hopes of coming unawares on 

 the depredators. I had a single-barrelled pistol ready cocked 

 in my hand ; but, when I turned the corner of the out- 

 building where the dogs were chained, I found myself con- 

 fronted, at some ten paces' distance, with a large wolf. 

 Though pretty dark at the time, and amongst the trees, I 

 could distinctly make out his figure ; and, without the loss of 

 a moment, I levelled my weapon, and pulled the trigger ; 

 but, unfortunately, the cap missed fire. The beast, which 

 had previously been stationary, becoming now alarmed, 

 wheeled about and moved off ; and though, whilst in 

 the act of retreating, I sent a ball after him for at 

 this second attempt the cap exploded it did not appa- 

 rently take effect: but this was less surprising, as from 

 his being in motion, and the foliage, my aim was very 

 uncertain. 



The wolf is amongst the most voracious of beasts. The 

 slaughter he commits in the fold is at times terrible ; and he 

 frequently kills ten times more than he can devour. Hence 

 it would appear, he is impelled rather by a mere love of 

 destroying, than by hunger. It is possible, nevertheless, 

 that hunger is really the cause that makes him commit 



