478 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



bunched, and gaining rapidly. Now a quarter has been run, 

 and hardly twenty yards separate them from the chase. Our 

 yells redouble- as, with a magnificent spurt, our favorite, 

 Kate, shoots out from the press, and, with strides the eye 

 can scarcely follow, closes on the Wolf as if he were tied. 

 Quick as thought he turns at bay; but Kate avoids the 

 gleaming fangs, and seizes his hind leg as she flies past. 

 Both come to the ground with the shock, and before he can 

 rise the pack is on him. In a moment more we are up. 

 Each man shouts encouragement to the dogs, holding 

 aloft his ready six-shooter in one hand, while the other 

 restrains his plunging horse as the animal rears from the 

 writhing, growling mass almost under his feet. Several 

 sharp yelps tell of cuts inflicted by the clashing jaws of the 

 grim quarry, and each of us is waiting for a chance to fire 

 without danger to the dogs or horses. The dogs fight with 

 courage and skill — with quick, sharp snaps — leaping back 

 out of reach; for the dog. that holds his grip on a Wolf, in 

 the language of the range, "may linger, but he can't stay." 



Suddenly, with a mighty effort, the wolf shakes himself 

 free from his foes and gains his feet. What a picture of 

 ferocity ! — his rumpled hair bristling, jaws dripping bloody 

 foam, gray eyes glaring with demoniac fury. Small won- 

 der that the dogs shrink for a moment into a wider circle ! 

 He sees his chance, and makes a dash for liberty; but it is 

 Jatal, for it brings him past the best shot on the range. 

 Judy, the nearest dog, bounds on the Wolf; but, ere she 

 touches him, the shot has sped, and he lies quivering on 

 the ground. 



The dogs rush in, worry and mangle him to their heart's 

 content. We dismount, and placing our hats on the 

 ground, pour the water from our canteens in their indented 

 crowns to refresh our panting allies. A brief rest is taken, 

 during which praise and petting is lavished on our proud 

 dogs," Kate coming in for a double share; and having 

 secured the scalp of our victim, we return leisurely to fight 

 the battle over again over the bountiful ranch dinner, and 

 plan new forays against the marauding Wolves. 



