SEARCHING FOR THE LYA. 479 



young are small, the favourite resorts of wolves are the 

 thickest brakes and the clefts of the most inaccessible rocks ; 

 but when the rye is of sufficient height to shelter them 

 properly, they often take refuge in the rye-fields. The 

 bones of slaughtered animals betray their dwelling-place ; 

 and if large and courageous dogs, who are accustomed to 

 give Stand-Shall that is, to continue challenging at one and 

 the same spot be used, they will soon make known where 

 the Lya and the cubs are to be found. There is little reason 

 to fear losing the dogs; for at this time of the year the 

 wolves are thin-haired and timorous, and will not willingly 

 meet the attack of several dogs conjointly. The she-wolf 

 does not, like the fox, litter in deep holes in the ground, 

 where it is difficult to get at the cubs ; but under boulders, 

 under the stumps of uprooted trunks, in close thickets, or 

 beneath spruce-pine trees, the branches of which hang to the 

 very ground ; and for this reason, when the Lya is found, 

 one can readily take and destroy the cubs. 



" One of the number, however, should be retained alive, 

 that by means of its cries the mother may be killed also. The 

 object is best effected by erecting a screen of boughs, near 

 to the lair, where two of the hunting party (the rest retiring 

 to a distance) secrete themselves, and shoot her on her return 

 home. This is hastened by the piteous lament of her 

 offspring, who at some four feet from the ground, is sus- 

 pended by the hind leg to a neighbouring tree. But the 

 men, at such times, should face in opposite directions, so 

 that one or the other will be sure to see her when she first 

 makes her appearance, as she then comes much nearer to the 

 ambush than afterwards." 



