54 
THE WOLF. 
seated, contemplating the river that washe<J 
the precipice under his feet, long after diisl^ 
had hid distant objects from his view. H'* 
thoughts were perhaps far distant from th^ 
surrounding scenery, when he was roused W 
an indistinct noise behind him ; and, on look' 
mg round, perceived that nine white wolve^ 
had ranged themselves in the form of ^ 
crescent, [the mode generally adopted by ^ 
pack of wolves to prevent the escape of any 
animal which they pursue,] and were ad' 
vancing, apparently with the intention of 
driving him into the river. On his rising up< 
they halted ; and when he advanced, they 
made way for his passage down to the tents.” 
The extreme cunning of the wolves, whet> 
m pursuit of a creature of superior speed, 
shown in the following passage from the sam® 
interesting work : « So much snow had fallen, 
that the track we intended to follow was com' 
pletely covered, and our march was very fa- 
