268 SHOT AT A WOLVERINE. 



would remain till the forerunning voice of winter 

 ordered them to return to these pastures. 



The hour for halting had almost arrived in 

 fact, ere this, if a desirable situation for camp had 

 been found, we would have ceased our march for 

 the day when I espied a large animal on the 

 ground, much resembling in size and shape an otter, 

 save that the head was more pointed, and the tail 

 almost rudimentary. From its manner I felt sure 

 that it was aware of our proximity, so speaking 

 sotto voce, I told my friend not to look to the left, 

 but continue following in my tracks, for that a 

 wolverine was in that direction, watching our pro- 

 ceedings. 



Gradually 'altering our course, and deviating 

 in the direction of this animal, I stopped when 

 we got within forty yards of it. The creature 

 noted my movement, and at once sprang into a tree ; 

 but there he was not safe from the contents of my 

 gun. Firing a snap-shot I knocked him off his 

 perch. Falling on the ground with a heavy thud, 

 I thought the brute dead. While loading, not a 

 movement of the game indicated the existence of 

 life. Convinced, therefore, that the animal was dead, 

 I approached it sufficiently close to administer to it 

 a dig in the ribs with the point of my toe ; but the 

 glutton was only playing 'possum, and turned upon 

 me with the rapidity and vindictiveness of a wild 

 cat. The first blow of its paw ripped open the 

 covering of my right leg, and as I stepped back to 



