i 4 8 A SPORTING PARADISE 



He lost sight of it as the trail went down a zig- 

 zag, and while it was thus out of sight he 

 suddenly heard it utter the appalling scream, un- 

 like, and more dreadful than, any other sound, 

 and one which a horse only utters in extreme 

 fright or agony. The scream was repeated, and 

 as he came in sight again he saw that a great 

 wolf had attacked the horse. The poor animal 

 had been bitten terribly in its haunches and was 

 cowering upon them, while the wolf stood and 

 looked at it a few paces off. In a moment or 

 two the horse partially recovered and made a 

 desperate bound forward, starting at full gallop. 

 Immediately the wolf was after it, overhauled it 

 in three or four jumps, and then seized it by the 

 hock while its legs were extended, with such 

 violence as to bring it completely on its haunches. 

 It again screamed piteously ; and this time with 

 a few savage snaps the wolf hamstrung and par- 

 tially disembowelled it, and it fell over, having 

 made no attempt to defend itself. I have heard 

 of more than one incident of this kind. If a 

 horse is a good fighter, however, as occasionally, 

 though not often, happens, it is a most difficult 

 prey for any wild beast ; and some veteran horses 

 have no fear of wolves whatsoever, well knowing 



