46 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. 



so with the energy of despair he springs from the bank, just escaping a vicious 

 snap from the jaws of the nearest wolf, and ahghts upon the smooth ice, which, 

 bi-eaking beneath his weight, drops him struggHng into the deep water. Some of 

 the more eager wolves follow him in his leap, and are submerged with him. One 

 receives a blow from the sharp hoof, which lays him helpless upon his back, to 

 be swept away beneath the river's icy shroud ; another turns tail and makes for 

 the bank, the chilly bath having cooled his ardour ; while the pack squat upon 

 the shore, howling their disappointment, as they watch the deer's frantic efforts to 

 free himself from his new danger. By desperate plunges he breaks the ice in 

 front of him with his fore-feet, and pushes it away towards the clear water. 

 Gradually the distance from his enemies and the shore increases, and now but a 

 single cake intervenes between him and safety. Half-rising he places his fore-feet 

 upon it, and pushing it aside opens a channel, through which he floats into the 

 open stream. Well and bravely done ! At his ease he swims with the current, 

 while the wolves with many a vengeful whine, watch him and follow him 

 along the opposite shore, some even venturing on ice that bears their weight ; 

 until at last perceiving a curve of the bank where the ice is narrow, he pushes 

 through, and, dripping with water, slowly mounts the friendly shore, and seeks some 

 concealed place where he may regain his strength in peace ; his dreadful race is 

 finished, his life at last is won. 



