2 A COUNTRY READER. 



of hungry wolves, who are trying every device to 

 creep as near to the horses as possible without 

 being seen by them. 



At last one of the horses, the leader or the 

 look-out horse it may be, because of his keen 

 eyesight, or because of' Ms " quick sense of smell, 

 sees his natural enemies, the wolves. Then with 

 a loud snort and stamp of the forefoot, and with 

 tail high in the air,* he .,trjpts towards his com- 

 panions. These signals of alarm are well under- 

 stood by the herd, which at once ceases grazing, 

 collects together, and gallops in a body towards 

 the horizon. 



Then the chase begins. 



The wolves, with noses to the ground and 

 tails in the air, strive to come up with their prey. 

 These clever animals are up to all sorts of devices 

 to accomplish this. The pack will divide. One 

 portion will follow on the direct trail of the 

 horses, another portion will try to head the 

 horses off, as it is termed, so that they may 

 bring them round. Some, after a time, will lie 

 down to rest, while others will endeavour to 

 bring the herd of horses round to where the 

 resting wolves are lying in concealment, so that 

 a fresh relay of rested wolves may take up the 

 chase with renewed vigour. The swiftest, 

 soundest, and strongest horses are sure to escape, 

 but the wolves hope that in the herd there may 



