THE WOLF. 173 



rach'd," " Black Duncan of the Hood," so called from 

 having been the last person of his rank who bore the 

 old Highland hood in Argyllshire, and who lived in 

 the reign of James VI. (1567-1603). 

 N Several traditions relative to Wolves are evidences 

 of the accuracy with which oral relations have been 

 transmitted through many generations, which is 

 exemplified by the familiarity and fidelity with which 

 they retain allusions to objects and customs disused 

 for two hundred years. 



An example of this occurs in an account of the 

 slaughter of a remarkable Wolf killed by one of the 

 lairds of Chisholm in Gleann Chon-fhiadh, or the 

 Wolves' Glen, a noted retreat of these animals in 

 the sixteenth century. 



The animal in question had made her den in a 

 " earn," or pile of loose rocks, whence she made 

 excursions in every direction until she became the 

 terror of the country. At length the season of her 

 cubs increasing her ferocity, and having killed some 

 of the neighbouring people, she attracted the enter- 

 prise of the Laird of Chisholm and his brother, then 

 two gallant young hunters, and they resolved to 

 attempt her destruction. For this they set off" 

 alone from Strath Glass, and having tracked her 

 to her den, discovered by her traces that she was 

 abroad ; but detecting the little pattering feet of the 

 cubs in the sand about the mouth of the den, the 

 elder crept into the chasm with his drawn dirk, and 

 began the work of vengeance on the litter. While 

 he was thus occupied, the Wolf returned, and infu- 



