382 THE ADVENTURES OF 



led us along the edge of a ravine, obstructed by bushes and 

 shaded by large trees. 



We had been quietly on the watch for a minute or two, 

 when three young wolves, of the species called by the In- 

 dians coyotes, came running by, one after the other. They 

 were soon followed by a fourth, and then the mother her- 

 self appeared. She glared at us with her fiery eyes, and 

 then raised a dull, yelping noise, which brought her young 

 ones to her. 



" Upon my word !" exclaimed Sumichrast, " does this 

 wretch intend to give us a pi'esent to her children ?" 



I stuck my machete into the ground, so as to have it at 

 hand ; and the brute lay down on the ground, as if ready 

 to spring. 



"Now then, my fine lady, come and meddle with us if 

 you dare !" muttered my friend, imitating PEncuerado's 

 tone. 



The coyote uttered a shrill cry, and almost immediately 

 a sixth came and stood by her. 



" Don't fire till I tell you," said I to Lucien, who seemed 

 as bold as possible. 



" You take the dog-wolf," cried Sumichrast to me ; " but 

 we won't provoke the contest." 



Seeing us evince no fear, the brutes suddenly made off. 

 Sumichrast descended to the bottom of the ravine, and 

 then called me. I noticed among the high grass the en- 

 trance of a burrow strewed with whitened bones. Two 

 yards farther on I saw the head of one of the animals, with 

 eyes glittering like a cat's, glaring out of the entrance of 

 another burrow. I threw a stone at the beast, which, far 

 from showing any fear, curled up its lips and showed us a 

 very perfect set of teeth. 



As it was by no means our intention to make war upon 

 wolves, I returned to the plain with Lucien, who had shown 



