WHITE AMERICAN WOLF. 
157 
Another — Light grey on the sides legs and tail ; a dark brown stripe 
on the back, through which many white hairs protrude, giving it the ap- 
pearance of being spotted with brown and white. This variety resem- 
bles the young Wolf noticed by Richardson, (p. 68) which he denominates 
the pied Wolf. 
DIMENSIONS. 
From point of nose to root of tail. 
Do. tail, vertebrae, - 
Do. do. end of hair. 
Height of ear, . . - - 
Feet. Indies. 
- 4 6 
- 1 2 
- 1 8 
3 ^ 
HABITS. 
The White Wolf is far the most common variety of the Wolf tribe to 
be met with around Fort Union, on the prairies, and on the plains bor- 
dering the Yellow Stone river. When we first reached Fort Union we 
found Wolves in great abundance, of several different colours, white, 
grey, and brindled. A good many were shot from the walls during our 
residence there, by Edward Harris, Esq., and Mr. J. G. Bell. We ar- 
rived at this post on the 12th of June, and although it might be supposed 
at that season the Wolves eould procure food with ease, they seemed to 
be enticed to the vicinity of the Fort by the cravings of hunger. One day 
soon after our arrival, Mr. Culbertson told us that if a Wolf made its 
appearance on the prairie, near the Fort, he would give chase to it on 
horseback, and bring it to us alive or dead. Shortly after, a Wolf coming 
in view, he had his horse saddled and brought up, but in the meantime 
the Wolf became frightened and began to make off, and we thought Mr. 
Culbertson would never succeed in capturing him. We waited, how- 
ever, with our companions on the platform inside the walls, with our 
heads only projecting above the pickets, to observe, the result. In a few 
moments we saw Mr. Culbertson on his prancing steed as he rode out of 
the gate of the Fort with gun in hand, attired only in his shirt, breeches 
and boots. He put spurs to his horse and went off with the swiftness 
of a jockey bent upon winning a race. The Wolf trotted on and every 
now and , then stopped to- gaze at the horse and his rider, but soon finding 
that he could no longer indulge his curiosity with safety, he suddenly gal- 
lopped off with all his speed, but he was too late in taking the alarm, and 
the gallant steed soon began to gain on the poor cur, as we saw the horse 
rapidly shorten the distance between the Wolf and his enemy. Mr. Cul- 
bertson fired off his gun as a signal to us that he felt sure of bringing in 
