30 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



grasped more firmly my double barrel, knowing how 

 soon I could turn the tide of battle. By the way, the 

 prairie wolf has always been a favourite of mine, as 

 well as his half-brother, the coyote. Their bark has 

 often recalled pleasant memories, and their services 

 have several times recovered a wounded deer. In a 

 few minutes the apparent ringleader of the quartette 

 got up and shook himself. This was the signal for 

 the others to get upon their pins. Prairie wolf 

 number one walked quietly towards the bull, occa- 

 sionally stopping (after the manner of dogs to pluck 

 grass) ; then, with a sudden spring, made a feint 

 at the persecuted buffalo's head. The buffalo in 

 his turn lowered his head, and advanced a few steps 

 to meet him ; but this was unnecessary. Now the rest 

 of the fraternity rushed up. Another took the post of 

 teaser, while our friend number one dropped in the 

 rear ; and when a second feint at the head was made 

 by his comrade, number one watching his chance, 

 left a deep scar over the bull's hock. Again and again 

 this game was played, the same wolf always retaining 

 his rear position. Is not the instinct of animals most 

 similar to the reason of man ? Here each wolf had 

 his allotted work, doubtless that which was best 

 suited for his capacity. The rear assault was the 

 most dangerous ; for a kick well directed would un- 

 questionably have caused instant death to the adven- 

 turous assailant ; but the most experienced and expert 

 had selected the post of danger and honour. The 

 flashing eyes and foaming mouth of the bull told 

 plainly the result ; so I stepped from my concealment. 

 However, all were so occupied that until I awakened 

 the echoes with a loud " war- whoop" I was unseen; 



