290 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



large, he was amongst the branches in a few seconds, 

 and* quite out of the reach of his hungry pursuers. He 

 never doubted but they would continue in pursuit of his 

 horse, which he flattered himself, would be able, now 

 that he was relieved from his load, to make his escape. 

 But to his surprise, he beheld no fewer than eight large 

 wolves come round the tree on which he had taken shel- 

 ter, and, instead of pursuing his horse, quietly awaited 

 his coming down. Although he had no wish to descend 

 under such circumstances, he was fully aware of the 

 fate that awaited him should he find it expedient to remain 

 until morning in his present situation. To escape from 

 the effects of the keen frost he knew was impossible, and 

 therefore he determined .to maintain his position, in spite 

 of the occasional serenading of the party below. What 

 his feelings were during the night, or. how the wolves 

 contrived to amuse themselves for so many hours, I can- 

 not precisely state*; but about day-dawn they united in 

 a farewell howl, and left the poor benumbed doctor at 

 liberty to descend. With great difficulty he succeeded 

 in reaching the ground, and with still more, he managed 

 to reach the nearest dwelling, distant about three miles, 

 from whence he was conveyed to his own house in 

 a, sleigh. Had his family been aware that the horse 

 had returned without his rider, they undoubtedly would 

 have gone in search of the doctor, and most probably 

 have relieved 'him from his imprisonment at a much 

 earlier hour. But although the horse had no doubt 

 galloped straight to its stable door, the family knew no- 

 thing of its arrival until daylight returned. 



The doctor did not escape without experiencing the 



