382 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



led us along the edge of a ravine, obstructed by bushes and 

 shaded by large trees. 



We had been quietly on the watch for a minute or two, 

 when three young wolves, of the specie.s called by the In- 

 dians coyotes, came running by, one after the other. They 

 were soon followed by a fourth, and then the mother her- 

 self appeared. She glared at us with her fiery eyes, and 

 then raised a dull, yelping noise, which brought her young 

 ones to her. 



" Upon my word !" exclaimed Sumichrast, " does this 

 wretch intend to give us a present to her children ?" 



I stuck my machete into the ground, so as to have it at 

 hand ; and the brute lay down on the ground, as if ready 

 to spring. 



" Now then, my fine lady, come and meddle with us if 

 you dare I" muttered my friend, imitating l'Encuerado's 

 tone. 



The coyote uttered a shrill cry, and almost immediately 

 a sixth came and stood by her. 



" Don't fire till I tell you," said I to Lucien, who seemed 

 as bold as possible. 



" You take the dog- wolf," cried Sumichrast to me ; "but 

 we won't provoke the contest." 



Seeing us evince no fear, the brutes suddenly made off. 

 Sumichrast descended to the bottom of the ravine, and 

 then called me. I noticed among the high grass the en- 

 trance of a burrow strewed with whitened bones. Two 

 yards farther on I saw the head of one of the animals, with 

 eyes glittering like a cat's, glaring out of the entrance of 

 another burrow. I threw a stone at the beast, which, far 

 from showing any fear, curled up its lips and showed us a 

 very perfect set of teeth. 



As it was by no means our intention to make war upon 

 wolves, I returned to the plain with Lucien, who had shown 



