THE WOLF. 461 



During the first few years after the early settlement of 

 Hull, Wolves were numerous and destructive in the neigh- 

 borhood. They had killed many sheep, and had, also, very 

 much disturbed the minds of timid people by their nightly 

 howlings. Something decisive had to be done to abate the 

 nuisance. A hunter set a trap, and succeeded in capturing 

 one of the offenders. He muzzled him, and skinned part of 

 his head and sides, and then fastened a broad, red collar, 

 to which was attached a bell, around his neck. The Wolf 

 was then liberated; and, according to the story, Wolves 

 became scarce around Hull, and remained so for many 

 years. 



In October, 1839, when the trees, the stately sentinels of 

 earth, seemed to wear the livery of heaven, I was out, one 

 morning, duck-shooting. The time was the interval of twi- 

 light just preceding the dawn. Suddenly, 1 heard the voices 

 of a large pack of Wolves in full cry after a Deer. The 

 River Goodwood, upon the bank of which I stood, is about 

 forty yards wide. The Wolves were running in thick 

 cover, a short distance from the shore, on the opposite side. 

 The moment was an exciting one, but I have no recollection 

 of having been frightened in the least. I stood close to the 

 edge of the water, ready to tackle them with a single- 

 barreled muzzle-loader charged with Xo. 3 shot, and regret- 

 ted that they did not show themselves. The Deer and its 

 pursuers passed rapidly on through the thick undergrowth; 

 and shortly afterward the Wolves caught the Deer, as indi- 

 cated by the ceasing of their howls. Clear daylight then 

 appeared; and, if I remember correctly, ten wild ducks con- 

 stituted the result of my morning's tramp before breakfast. 

 I had no dog with me, and consequently had to swim after 

 every one of them. 



On various occasions, in many a hunt since the occur- 

 rence referred to, I have listened to the matchless melody 

 of the hounds in full cry upon the steaming trail of the 

 Deer. I need scarcely tell the sportsman who has been 

 there, how far such a chorus surpasses the highest and 

 most scientific effort of a full cornet-band. Nevertheless, 



