168 SIR VICTOR BROOKE CHAP, vi 



from all the tracks, I believe they had been lying in 

 the deep woods of Northern Pegailure. About 8 

 P.M. they had stolen across the gorge and up on to 

 Patoglino, where they dodged about winding the bait, 

 but not liking to approach. At last their impatience 

 found vent in the long angry chatter which I heard. 

 Soothed by this escape valve, they began to dodge 

 about again when they heard me getting down from the 

 tree. This naturally threw them into redoubled caution, 

 whereupon they slipped across on the southern hill, 

 and from it round to the west of the carcases and 

 down into the gorges, where the same dodging back- 

 wards and forwards took place. At last the venture 

 was made. They had so fully convinced themselves 

 of the safety that one of them left his droppings in 

 the middle of the little glade. At 5 P.M. I went back 

 to the post. It was a misty dark evening, just the 

 contrary to yesterday, and I thought it fully possible 

 I might see a wolf sneaking out of the wood at dusk ; 

 but not a bit of it, four or five old ravens flapped 

 heavily over in the mist, being the only living thing I 

 saw. I had told Orrigo to bring the lantern at 8.30, 

 as it got so dark about this time it was perfectly use- 

 less stopping. Just before I heard his footsteps, I 

 distinctly heard the wolves dash away up the hill of 

 Patoglino; they had evidently been sitting at the 

 very edge of the wood, directly opposite me, looking 

 out over the glade. They are beyond doubt the most 

 annoyingly cautious beasts. 



