44 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. 



But that does not seem to be the intention of our sharp-witted hunter, for he 

 retires a short distance, and gives frequent utterances to the same dismal howl that so, 

 startled the buck. At first these produce no effect, save to awaken some few faint 

 echoes, but after several have been tried, there comes a reply from some distant low- 

 lying hills, which makes our hunter prick up his ears, and give tongue energetically. 

 And now the answering cries become more frequent and from many quarters, and 

 quickly moving forms are seen cautiously converging towards the spot where the 

 first note was sounded. Even the Wapiti is becoming uneasy, and takes a few 

 steps forwards, as though meditating a charge, but evidently reconsiders it, as he 

 returns again to his first position. 



Now the wolves rapidly draw near, and as they approach the grove they 

 squat around, or lie down, as though consulting the best mode of attack ; while the 

 first comer moves about among them as if explaining the position. All at once 

 they seem to have decided, and a number rush forward towards the deer, which, 

 with lowered antlers and starting eyes, awaits the onset. It is apparently but a 

 feint, however, for they do not go quite up to him, but stand and gnash their teeth 

 just out of his reach, yet retaining all his attention upon those in front of him. 

 Now we see their strategy ; for a few skulking forms appear among the trees 

 behind, having crept unperceived around the grove, and suddenly attack him in 

 the rear, springing at his hind legs, and endeavouring by sudden snaps of their 

 powerful jaws to ham-string the noble buck, and thus place him at their mercy. 



At the first note of their attack the party in front renew their onset, and 

 bolder than before, crowd upon the deer from all sides ; who in the meanwhile is not 

 standing idle, but makes desperate thrusts with his sharp-pointed tines. At length 

 when some wolf more daring than the rest attempts to seize him and pull him 

 down, he makes a furious rush forward, transfixes one luckless animal upon his 

 horns, and hurls him into the air a helpless mass. But as though infuriated by the 

 fate of their companion, a desperate and combined attack is made from all sides 

 by the entire force, and then, finding his retreat too open for a successful defence, 

 the gallant animal, gathering all his strength for the effort, breaks through the covert, 



" With one brave bound the copse he dears, 

 And, stretching forward free and far " 



trusts to his fleetness upon the treacherous covering of the open plain. As though 



