PITTING OF WOLVES. 341 



shewed some spirit, the moment it was left loose to the mercy of the 

 curs. This Wolf, which we afterwards found to be a female, scuffled 

 along on its fore legs at a surprising rate, giving a snap every now and 

 then to the nearest dog, which went off howling dismally with a mouth- 

 ful of skin torn from its side. And so well did the furious beast de- 

 fend itself, that apprehensive of its escape, the farmer levelled his rifle 

 at it, and shot it through the heart, on which the curs rushed upon it, 

 and satiated their vengeance on the destroyer of their master's flock. 



