EPISODES 



497 



PITTING OF WOLVES 



There seems to be a universal feeling of hostility among 

 men against the Wolf, whose strength, agility, and cun- 

 ning, which latter is scarcely inferior to that of his rela- 

 tive. Master Reynard, tend to render him an object of 

 hatred, especially to the husbandman, on whose flocks he 

 is ever apt to commit depredations. In America, where 

 this animal was formerly abundant, and in many parts of 

 which it still occurs in considerable numbers, it is not 

 more mercifully dealt with than in other parts of the 

 world. Traps and snares of all sorts are set for catching 

 it, while dogs and horses are trained for hunting the Fox. 

 The Wolf, however, unless in some way injured, being 

 more powerful and perhaps better winded than the Fox, 

 is rarely pursued with hounds or any other dogs in open 

 chase; but as his depredations are at times extensive and 

 highly injurious to the farmer, the greatest exertions have 

 been used to exterminate his race. Few instances have 

 occurred among us of any attack made by Wolves on man, 

 and only one has come under my own notice. 



Two young negroes who resided near the banks of the 

 Ohio, in the lower part of the state of Kentucky,-, about 

 twenty-three years ago, had sweethearts living on a plan- 

 tation ten miles distant. After the labors of the day 

 were over, they frequently visited the fair ladies of their 

 choice, the nearest way to whose dwelling lay directly 

 across a great cane-brake. As to the lover every moment 

 is precious, they usually took this route to save time. 

 Winter had commenced, cold, dark, and forbidding, and 

 after sunset scarcely a glimpse of light or glow of warmth, 

 one might imagine, could be found in that dreary swamp, 

 excepting in the eyes and bosoms of the ardent youths, or 

 the hungry Wolves that prowled about. The snow cov- 

 ered the earth, and rendered them more easy to be scented 



VOL. II. — 32 



