THE WOLF. 201 



were secured the flocks of the surrounding farmers. 

 Still, secure though this fold was deemed, it was 

 entered by the Wolves, and its inmates slaughtered. 



" The neighbouring proprietors having heard of the 

 noted Wolf-hunter above mentioned, by name Rory 

 Carragh, sent for him and offered the usual reward, 

 with some addition, if he would undertake to destroy 

 the two remaining Wolves that had committed such 

 devastation. Carragh, undertaking the task, took 

 with him two Wolf dogs and a little boy, the only 

 person he could prevail on to accompany iiim, and, 

 at the approach of night, repaired to the fold in 

 question. 



" ' Now,' said Carragh to the boy, ' as the Wolves 

 usually attack the opposite extremities of the sheep- 

 fold at the same time, I must leave you and one of 

 the dogs to guard this one, while I go to the other. 

 He steals with all the caution of a cat ; nor will you 

 hear him, but the dog will, and will positively give 

 him the first fall. If you are not active when he is 

 down, to rivet his neck to the ground with this spear, 

 he will rise up and kill both you and the dog. ' 



" 'I'll do what I can,' said the boy, as he took the 

 spear from the Wolf- hunter's hand. 



" The boy immediately threw open the gate of the 

 fold, and took his seat in the inner part, close to the 

 entrance, his faithful companion crouching at his side 

 and seeming perfectly aware of the dangerous business 

 he was engaged in. The night was very dark and cold, 

 and the poor Httle boy being benumbed with the 

 chilly air, was beginning to fall into a kind of sleep, 



