DUNROBIN 



having first failed to rouse what inmates there might 

 be by throwing in stones, the two lads were sent in 

 to explore the cavern, while Poison kept watch out- 

 side. Sure enough, they found a litter of fine whelps, 

 and shouted news of their discovery to Poison, 



"Kill them quickly," he cried, poking his head 

 into the crevice, "and come away." 



Just as he withdrew his head, a great she wolf, 

 which had come up unobserved, dashed past him 

 into the hole. Luckily, he managed to catch and 

 keep hold of her bushy tail, which he twisted 

 round his left arm ; but it required the force of 

 both arms to hold the maddened brute ; Poison 

 dared not loose his right hand to draw his knife, 

 and his gun was out of reach. His son, all unaware 

 of the mortal struggle outside, cried out from inside 



" It is dark here now, father ; what is stopping 

 the light from us ? " 



"You'll soon know," answered Poison, "if the 

 root of the tail was to break ! " 



After this had gone on for some time, the 

 wolf lay still for a moment or two to gather 

 strength; Poison made a snatch for his knife, and 

 stabbed the animal in the hind-quarters, which 

 made her turn and attempt to come out of the 

 hole. But the hunter had the powerful beast at 

 a disadvantage ; keeping her jammed between the 

 rocks, he managed to plant his blade in a vital 

 part, and the last wolf in Sutherland shed its life- 

 blood on the rocks and heather. 



2B 201 



