THE WARY WOLF 151 



ment that, despite this incessant warring, for 

 fifteen years the wolves actually multiplied. 



Both old wolves play with the puppies, and 

 on rare occasions both at the same time. More 

 often one of the old ones allows the puppies to 

 play with it. The old one will lie full length 

 while the puppies tug and chew at its ears, bite 

 and tug at tail, and snap at nose. Upon the old 

 one they climb, trampling and scuffling about. 

 To all this the old one submits without a move, 

 unless it is to encourage or prolong the interest 

 of the puppies. 



A mated wolf is happy in the company of 

 the mate. When well fed and with leisure time 

 no puppies to watch over they lie in the sun 

 near the den usually with one resting its head 

 upon the body of the other. Or, puppylike, 

 they may wrestle and play together for an hour 

 without ceasing. 



Numbers often play together. In the "Ad- 

 ventures of a Nature Guide" I have told of a 

 number playing with a tumbleweed on a windy 

 prairie. 



Sometimes they go away exploring. A trip 

 of this kind often carries them far beyond the 

 bounds of their home territory. Sometimes 

 they appear to have a place in mind when they 

 start; again they wander here and there, fol- 

 lowing each inclination or new interest. 



