372 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



large pieces, until he is stuffed full ; when he will return 

 home, and disgorge it for the use of his family. 



If he takes a small sheep at a distance of from two to 

 five miles (I have known a wolf to carry a yearling sheep 

 at least six miles), he manages to get the sheep on his 

 back, holding it firmly by the neck, and thus conveys it to 

 the young ones, until they are of sufficient strength to go 

 out and provide for themselves. When they are able to 

 chase the deer, they all hunt together until they start up 

 one, when they chase it in company till they become tired. 

 Then one keeps the deer all the time at full speed, while 

 the others watch ; and if the deer makes a turn, they strike 

 in before the one that is pushing the deer, and continuf 

 the chase, while the others watch the wind for the scent 

 The deer, thus pursued alternately by a fresh wolf, soon 

 becomes tired, and takes to some stream to escape its 

 pursuers. As soon as they find the deer takes to the 

 water, they separate, some going on one side of the 

 stream, and some on the other ; and as they can run 

 faster on land than the deer can travel through the water, 

 they soon tire it, and it becomes an easy prey to its rave- 

 nous pursuers, which in a few moments tear it in fragments, 

 and devour every morsel of it. 



At the request of many persons, I will endeavor to ex- 

 plain the character of the most dangerous reptiles which 

 inhabit the mountains of the AUeganies. 



The first, and most dangerous, is the rattlesnake ; which 

 lives by its cunning, and can charm birds, squirrels, rab- 

 bits, mice, chickens, etc. I have seen a rattlesnake with a 

 full-grown rabbit in its stomach. 



I was once riding in the woods, when, seeing a jay-bird 

 making strange movements, flying back and forward, and 

 crying piteously, it occurred to me that a snake was at 

 work decoying the poor bird within its reach. I tied my 

 horse, and went to see what was the matter with the bird ; 



