168 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



sharply as a hare, and from his wonderful lasting 

 powers take you over an immense distance, he 

 invariably choosing the roughest ground. In this 

 mode also you must constantly he on the qid vive, for 

 if opportunity offers he will make either your horse or 

 yourself acquainted with his grinders, and a snap from 

 him will be a memento. In the neighbourhood of 

 Fort Riley an accident of this kind almost occurred 

 to me. A large grey wolf jumped up before me, and 

 as my horse was fresh and the afternoon cool, I made 

 up my mind for a run. Drawing my revolver, and 

 taking my nag in hand, we were soon skimming the 

 prairie at a slashing pace. After a mile of this work I 

 ranged alongside, but on several occasions when about 

 to press the trigger the wolf wheeled sharply to the right 

 or left, once very nearly throwing my nag on his head. 

 More determined to draw blood from the trick prac- 

 tised on me, I was soon again at his tail; but the 

 foe tried a new and quite unexpected ruse, viz., sud- 

 denly slackening his pace, and as I overshot him, 

 making a most wicked snap at my off foot, which 

 fortunately was protected by a heavy cow-hide boot ; 

 but the indentation showed that a lighter covering 

 would have caused me to regret my prowess. 



If ever you visit the Western Prairies you will not 

 regret the trouble of taking with you some good strong 

 greyhounds ; the rough Scotch dog I should prefer, 

 for you will not only find them great promoters of 

 your sport, wolf-hunting, but useful auxiliaries in pull- 

 ing down wounded deer, as well as most watchful and 

 trustworthy camp guardians and companions. 



