ATTACK ON A WOLF. 211 



event of being unsuccessful, to return each night to 

 the lake, where I was at least certain of procuring cherries 

 and water sufficient to sustain nature. In pursuance of 

 this resolution I set out early, in a southerly direction, 

 from the head of the lake, through a wild barren country, 

 without any water or vegetation, save loose tufts of grass, 

 like those already described. I had armed myself with 

 a long stick, with which, during the day, I killed several 

 rattlesnakes. Having discovered no fresh tracks, I re- 

 turned late in the evening hungry and thirsty, and took 

 possession of my berth of the preceding night. I col- 

 lected a heap of stones from the water-side ; and just 

 as I was lying down observed a wolf emerge from the 

 opposite cavern, and thinking it safer to act on the of- 

 fensive, lest he should imagine I was afraid, I threw some 

 stones at him, one of which struck him on the leg : he 

 retired yelling into his den. ; and after waiting some time 

 in fearful suspense, to see if he would reappear, I threw 

 myself on the ground, and fell asleep; but, like the night 

 before, it was broken by the same unmusical noise, and for 

 upwards of two hours I sat up waiting in anxious expec- 

 tation the return of daylight. The vapors from the lake, 

 joined to the heavy dew, had penetrated my frail rover- 

 ing of gingham ; but as the sun rose, I took it off, and 

 stretched it on a rock, where it quickly dried. My ex- 

 cursion to the southward having proved abortive, 1 now 

 resolved to try the east, and after eating my simple 

 breakfast, proceeded in that direction : and on crossing 

 the two small streams, had to penetrate a country full 

 of "dark woods and rankling wilds," through which, 

 owing to the immense quantities of underwood, my pro- 



