A hunter's life. 355 



ones fifteen dollars each, it was necessary that the best 

 means should be taken to secure the whole pack. 



We therefore went on until we came in sight of the steep 

 hollow, which was covered with pine and laurel trees, and 

 rocks. Some of the party wanted to go round to the 

 north side of the supposed den ; but I objected to that 

 mode of attack, because I knew that the wolves would 

 smell us when we were far from the den, and make their 

 escape with their whelps. 



" Now," said I, "there being four of us, let us separate, 

 and take a straight course through the hollow, keeping 

 sufficiently close together to enable us to see from one to 

 the other ; and as our dogs will be on the leeward side of 

 them, we will come on them by surprise, and they will have 

 no time to carry off their young ones, but will attack us 

 immediately, to keep us from the den." 



This plan was agreed to at once ; William Browning 

 and Joshua Mason taking the left, whilst John Dewitt 

 and myself took the right side, at a good distance apart, 

 and remained perfectly silent. It was agreed that if any- 

 thing should take place which would make it necessary to 

 consult each other, one should whistle like a bird, and all 

 would then meet to advise together. We started off among 

 the rocks, and had gone but a short distance when Dewitt 

 and myself, finding a road over which the old wolves had 

 carried food to their young ones, I gave a long whistle, 

 like a young turkey, and we all assembled together. While 

 we were examining the road, one of the dogs came run- 

 ning toward us, with a frightened look ; and when we sent 

 him back, two old wolves immediately came dashing toward 

 us, snapping and tearing after the dog. As the other three 

 men were in front of me, I stood in my place, to watch 

 the effect of the guns ; but the wolves, on getting a good 

 sight of the men, wheeled back, when both dogs made an 

 assault on the den. The wolves cut so keen, however, that 



