Almostassoonaswegottothetopofthebankwecameoutofthewoodsoveralowbutawkwardrailfence，whereoneofournumber，whowasridingaveryexcitablesorrelcolt，gotafall。Thisleftbutsix，includingthewhip。Thereweretwoorthreelargefieldswithlowfences；thenwecametotwohigh，stiffdoubles，thefirstrealjumpingoftheday，thefencesbeingoverfourfeetsix，andsoclosetogetherthatthehorsesbarelyhadachancetogatherthemselves。Wegotover，however，crossedtwoorthreestump-strewnfields，gallopedthroughanopenwood，pickedourwayacrossamarshyspot，jumpedasmallbrookandtwoorthreestifffences，andthencameacheck。Soonthehoundsrecoveredthelineandswungofftotheright，backacrossfourorfivefields，soastoenabletherestofthehunt，bymakinganangle，tocomeup。Thenwejumpedoveraveryhighboardfenceintothemainroad，outofitagain，andonoverploughedfieldsandgrasslands，separatedbystiffsnakefences。Therunhadbeenfastandthehorseswerebeginningtotail。Bythetimewesuddenlyrattleddownintoadeepravineandscrambleduptheothersidethroughthicktimbertherewerebutfourofusleft，Lodgeandmyselfbeingtwooftheluckyones。Beyondthisravinewecametooneoftheworstjumpsoftheday，afenceoutofthewood，whichwaspracticableonlyatonespot，whereakindofcattletrailleduptoapanel。Itwaswithinaninchortwooffivefeethigh。However，thehorses，thoroughlytrainedtotimberjumpingandtoroughandhardscramblinginawkwardplaces，andbythistimewellquieted，tookthebarswithoutmistake，eachoneinturntrottingorcanteringuptowithinafewyards，thenmakingacoupleofspringsandbuckingoverwithagreattwistofthepowerfulhaunches。Imayexplainthattherewasnotahorseofthefourthathadnotarecordoffivefeetsixinchesinthering。Wenowgotintoaperfecttangleofravines，andthefoxwenttoearth；andthoughwestartedoneortwomoreinthecourseoftheafternoon，wedidnotgetanotherreallyfirst-classrun。
AtGeneseotheconditionsfortheenjoymentofthissportareexceptionallyfavorable。IntheNortheastgenerally，althoughtherearenowanumberofwell-establishedhunts，atleastnineoutoftenrunsareafteradrag。Mostofthehuntsareintheneighborhoodofgreatcities，andaremainlykeptupbyyoungmenwhocomefromthem。
Afewofthesearemenofleisure，whocanaffordtodevotetheirwholetimetopleasure；butmuchthelargernumberaremeninbusiness，whoworkhardandareobligedtomaketheirsportsaccommodatethemselvestotheirmoreseriousoccupations。Onceortwiceaweektheycangetoffforanafternoon’srideacrosscountry，andtheythenwishtobeabsolutelycertainofhavingtheirrun，andofhavingitattheappointedtime；andtheonlywaytoinsurethisistohaveadrag-hunt。Itisnotthelackoffoxesthathasmadethesportsocommonlytaketheformofridingtodrag-hounds，butratherthefactthatthemajorityofthosewhokeepituparehard-workingbusinessmenwhowishtomakethemostoutofeverymomentofthelittletimetheycansparefromtheirregularoccupations。Asinglerideacrosscountry，oranafternoonatpolo，willyieldmoreexercise，fun，andexcitementthancanbegotoutofaweek’sdecorousanddullridinginthepark，andmanyyoungfellowshavewakeduptothisfact。
AtonetimeIdidagooddealofhuntingwiththeMeadowbrookhounds，inthenorthernpartofLongIsland。Therewereplentyoffoxesaroundus，bothredandgray，butpartlyforthereasonsgivenabove，andpartlybecausethecoversweresolargeandsonearlycontinuous，theywerenotoftenhunted，althoughaneffortwasalwaysmadetohaveoneruneveryweekorsoafterawildfox，inordertogiveachanceforthehoundstobeproperlyworkedandtopreventtherunsfrombecomingameresuccessionofsteeple-chases。Thesportwasmainlydrag-
hunting，andwasmostexciting，asthefenceswerehighandthepacefast。TheLongIslandcountryneedsapeculiarstyleofhorse，thefirstrequisitebeingthatheshallbeaverygoodandhightimberjumper。QuiteanumberofcrackEnglishandIrishhuntershaveatdifferenttimesbeenimported，andsomeofthemhaveturnedoutprettywell；butwhentheyfirstcomeovertheyareutterlyunabletocrossourcountry，blunderingbadlyatthehightimber。FewofthemhavedoneaswellastheAmericanhorses。IhavehuntedhalfadozentimesinEngland，withPytchely，Essex，andNorthWarwickshire，anditseemstomeprobablethatEnglishthoroughbreds，inagrasscountry，andoverthepeculiarkindsofobstaclestheyhaveontheothersideofthewater，wouldgallopawayfromafieldofourLongIslandhorses；
fortheyhavespeedandbottom，andaregreatweightcarriers。Butonourownground，wherethecross-countryridingismorelikeleapingasuccessionoffiveorsix-bargatesthananythingelse，theydonotasarule，inspiteoftheenormouspricespaidforthem，showthemselvesequaltothenativestock。Thehighestrecordedjump，sevenfeettwoinches，wasmadebytheAmericanhorseFilemaker，whichIsawriddenintheveryfrontbyMr。H。L。Herbert，inthehuntatSagamoreHill，abouttobedescribed。
WhenIwasamemberoftheMeadowbrookhunt，mostofthemeetswereheldwithinadozenmilesorsoofthekennels；atFarmingdale，Woodbury，Wheatly，LocustValley，Syosset，ornearanyoneoftwentyotherqueer，quaintoldLongIslandhamlets。Theywerealmostalwaysheldintheafternoon，thebusinessmenwhohadcomedownfromthecityjoggingoverbehindthehoundstotheappointedplace，wheretheyweremetbythemenwhohadriddenoverdirectfromtheircountry-
houses。Ifthemeetwasanimportantone，theremightbeacrowdofonlookersineverykindoftrap，fromafour-in-handdragtoaspider-
wheeledbuggydrawnbyapairoflong-tailedtrotters，themoneyvalueofwhichmanytimessurpassedthatofthetwobesthuntersinthewholefield。Nowandthenabreakfastwouldbegiventhehuntatsomecountry-house，whenthewholedaywasdevotedtothesport；perhapsafterwildfoxesinthemorning，withadragintheafternoon。
Afteronemeet，atSagamoreHill，Ihadthecuriositytogoonfootoverthecoursewehadtaken，measuringthejumps；foritisverydifficulttoformagoodestimateofafence’sheightwheninthefield，andfivefeetoftimberseemsamucheasierthingtotakewhensittingaroundthefireafterdinnerthanitdoeswhenactuallyfacedwhilethehoundsarerunning。Ontheparticularhuntinquestionweranabouttenmiles，atarattlingpace，withonlytwochecks，crossingsomewhatmorethansixtyfences，mostofthempost-and-rails，stiffassteel，theothersbeingofthekindcalled\"Virginia\"orsnake，andnotmorethantenoradozeninthewholelotunderfourfeetinheight。Thehighestmeasuredfivefeetandhalfaninch，twootherswerefourfeeteleven，andnearlyathirdofthenumberaveragedaboutfourandahalf。Therewerealsoseveralratherawkwarddoubles。Whenthehoundswerecastoffsomefortyriderswerepresent，butthefirstfencewasasavageone，andstoppedallwhodidnotmeangenuinehardgoing。Twenty-sixhorsescrossedit，oneofthemriddenbyalady。Amileorsofartheron，beforetherehadbeenachanceformuchtailing，wecametoafive-bargate，outofaroad——ajumpofjustfourfeetfiveinchesfromthetake-off。Uptothis，ofcourse，wewentoneatatime，atatrotorhand-gallop，andtwenty-fivehorsescleareditinsuccessionwithoutasinglerefusalandwithbutonemistake。Owingtotheseverityofthepace，combinedwiththeaverageheightofthetimber（althoughnoonefencewasofphenomenallynoteworthyproportions），agoodmanyfallstookplace，resultinginanunusuallylargepercentageofaccidents。Themasterpartlydislocatedoneknee，anothermanbroketworibs，andanother——
thepresentwriter——brokehisarm。However，almostallofusmanagedtostrugglethroughtotheendintimetoseethedeath。
OnthisoccasionIowedmybrokenarmtothefactthatmyhorse，asolemnanimaloriginallytakenoutofabuggy，thoughaverycleverfencer，wastoocoarsetogallopalongsidethebloodedbeastsagainstwhichhewaspitted。Buthewassoeasyinhisgaits，andsoquiet，beingriddenwithonlyasnaffle，thattherewasnodifficultyinfollowingtotheendoftherun。Ihaddiversadventuresonthishorse。OnceItriedapairofso-called\"safety\"stirrups，whichspeedilyfellout，andIhadtoridethroughtherunwithoutany，atthecostofseveraltumbles。MuchthebesthunterIeverownedwasasorrelhorsenamedSagamore。HewasfromGeneseo，wasfast，aremarkablygoodjumper，ofgreatendurance，asquickonhisfeetasacat，andwithadauntlessheart。Henevergavemeafall，andgenerallyenabledmetoseealltherun。
Itwouldbeveryunfairtothinkthesportespeciallydangerousonaccountoftheoccasionalaccidentsthathappen。Amanwhoisfondofriding，butwhosetsagooddealofvalue，eitherforthesakeofhimself，hisfamily，orhisbusiness，uponhisneckandlimbs，canhuntwithmuchsafetyifhegetsaquiethorse，asafefencer，anddoesnottrytostayinthefrontrank。Mostaccidentsoccurtomenongreenorwildhorses，orelsetothosewhokeepinfrontonlyattheexpenseofpumpingtheirmounts；andafallwithadone-outbeastisalwayspeculiarlydisagreeable。Mostfalls，however，donoharmwhatevertoeitherhorseorrider，andaftertheyhavepickedthemselvesupandshakenthemselves，thecoupleoughttobeabletogoonjustaswellasever。Ofcourseamanwhowishestokeepinthefirstflightmustexpecttofaceacertainnumberoftumbles；butevenhewillprobablynotbehurtatall，andhecanavoidmanyamishapbyeasinguphishorsewheneverhecan——thatis，byalwaystakingagapwhenpossible，goingatthelowestpanelofeveryfence，andnotcallingonhisanimalforallthereisinhimunlessitcannotpossiblybeavoided。Itmustberememberedthathardridingisaverydifferentthingfromgoodriding；thoughagoodridertohoundsmustalsoattimesridehard。
Cross-countryridingintheroughisnotadifficultthingtolearn；
alwaysprovidedthewould-belearnerisgiftedwithorhasacquiredafairlystoutheart，foraconstitutionallytimidpersonisoutofplaceinthehuntingfield。Areallyfinishedcross-countryrider，amanwhocombineshandandseat，heartandhead，isofcourserare；thestandardistoohighformostofustohopetoreach。Butitiscomparativelyeasytoacquirealighthandandacapacitytositfairlywelldowninthesaddle；andwhenamanhasoncegotthese，hewillfindnoespecialdifficultyinfollowingthehoundsonatrainedhunter。
Fox-huntingisagreatsport，butitisasfoolishtomakeafetishofitasitistodecryit。Thefoxishuntedmerelybecausethereisnolargergametofollow。Aslongaswolves，deer，oranteloperemainintheland，andinacountrywherehoundsandhorsemencanwork，noonecouldthinkoffollowingthefox。Itispursuedbecausethebiggerbeastsofthechasehavebeenkilledout。InEnglandithasreacheditspresentprominenceonlywithintwocenturies；nobodyfollowedthefoxwhilethestagandtheboarwerecommon。Atthepresentday，onExmoor，wherethewildstagisstillfound，itschaseranksaheadofthatofthefox。Itisnotreallythehuntingproperwhichisthepointoffox-hunting。Itisthehorsemanship，thegallopingandjumping，andthebeingoutintheopenair。Verynaturally，however，menwhohavepassedtheirlivesasfox-huntersgrowtoregardthechaseandtheobjectofitalikewithsuperstitiousveneration。Theyattributealmostmythicalcharacterstotheanimal。IknowsomeofmygoodVirginianfriends，forinstance，whoseriouslybelievethattheVirginiaredfoxisabeastquiteunparalleledforspeedandendurancenolessthanforcunning。Thisisofcourseamistake。Comparedwithawolf，anantelope，orevenadeer，thefox’sspeedandendurancedonotstandveryhigh。Agoodpackofhoundsstartinghimclosewouldspeedilyrunintohimintheopen。Thereasonthatthehuntslastsolonginsomecasesisbecauseofthenatureofthegroundwhichfavorsthefoxattheexpenseofthedogs，becauseofhishavingtheadvantageinthestart，andbecauseofhiscunninginturningtoaccounteverythingwhichwilltellinhisfavorandagainsthispursuers。InthesamewayIknowplentyofEnglishfriendswhospeakwithbatedbreathoffox-huntingbutlookdownuponridingtodrag-
hounds。Ofcoursethereisadifferenceinthetwosports，andthefunofactuallyhuntingthewildbeastintheonecasemorethancompensatesforthefactthatintheothertheridingisapttobeharderandthejumpinghigher；butbothsportsarereallyartificial，andintheiressentialsalike。Toanymanwhohashuntedbiggameinawildcountrythestresslaidonthedifferencesbetweenthemseemsalittleabsurd，infactcockney。Itisofcoursenothingagainsteitherthatitisartificial；soareallsportsinlong-civilizedcountries，fromlacrossetoiceyachting。
Itisamusingtoseehownaturalitisforeachmantoglorifythesporttowhichhehasbeenaccustomedattheexpenseofanyother。Theold-schoolFrenchsportsman，forinstance，whofollowedthebear，stag，andharewithhishounds，alwayslookeddownuponthechaseofthefox；whereastheaverageEnglishmannotonlyassertsbutseriouslybelievesthatnootherkindofchasecancomparewithit，althoughinactualfacttheverypointsinwhichtheEnglishmanissuperiortothecontinentalsportsman——thatis，inhardandstraight-ridingandjumping——arethosewhichdrag-huntingtendstodeveloprathermorethanfox-huntingproper。Inthemerehuntingitselfthecontinentalsportsmanisoftenunsurpassed。
Once，beyondtheMissouri，ImetanexpatriatedGermanbaron，anunfortunatewhohadfailedutterlyintheroughlifeofthefrontier。
Hewaslivinginasqualidlittlehut，almostunfurnished，butstuddedaroundwiththediminutivehornsoftheEuropeanroebuck。Theseweretheonlytreasureshehadtakenwithhimtoremindhimofhisformerlife，andhewasnevertiredofdescribingwhatfunitwastoshootroebuckswhendrivenbythelittlecrooked-legged/dachshunds/。Therewereplentyofdeerandanteloperoundabout，yieldinggoodsporttoanyrifleman，butthisexilecarednothingforthem；theywerenotroebucks，andtheycouldnotbechasedwithhisbeloved/dachshunds/。
So，amongmyneighborsinthecattlecountry，isagentlemanfromFrance，averysuccessfulranchmanandathoroughlygoodfellow；hecaresnothingforhuntingbiggame，andwillnotgoafterit，butisdevotedtoshootingcotton-tailsinthesnow，thisbeingapastimehavingmuchresemblancetooneoftherecognizedsportsofhisownland。
However，ourownpeopleaffordpreciselysimilarinstances。Ihavemetplentyofmenaccustomedtokillingwildturkeysanddeerwithsmall-
boreriflesinthesouthernforestswho，whentheygotontheplainsandintheRockies，wereabsolutelyhelpless。Theynotonlyfailedtobecomeproficientintheartofkillingbiggameatlongrangeswiththelarge-borerifle，atthecostoffatiguingtramps，buttheyhadapositivedistasteofthesportandwouldneverallowthatitequalledtheirownstealthyhuntsineasternforests。SoIknowplentyofmen，expertswiththeshot-gun，whohonestlyprefershootingquailintheEastoverwell-trainedsettersorpointers，tothehardier，manliersportsofthewilderness。
Asitiswithhunting，soitiswithriding。Thecowboy’sscornofeverymethodofridingsavehisownisasprofoundandasignorantasisthatoftheschoolrider，jockey，orfox-hunter。Thetruthisthateachoftheseisbestinhisownsphereandisatadisadvantagewhenmadetodotheworkofanyoftheothers。Forall-aroundridingandhorsemanship，IthinktheWestPointgraduateissomewhataheadofanyofthem。Takenasaclass，however，andcomparedwithotherclassesasnumerous，andnotwithafewexceptionalindividuals，thecowboy，liketheRockyMountainstage-driver，hasnosuperiorsanywhereforhisownwork；andtheyarefinefellows，theseiron-nervedreinsmenandrough-
riders。
WhenBuffaloBilltookhiscowboystoEuropetheymadeapracticeinEngland，France，Germany，andItalyofofferingtobreakandride，intheirownfashion，anyhorsegiventhem。Theywerefrequentlygivenspoiledanimalsfromthecavalryservicesinthedifferentcountriesthroughwhichtheypassed，animalswithwhichthetrainedhorse-
breakersoftheEuropeanarmiescoulddonothing；andyetinalmostallcasesthecowpunchersandbronco-busterswithBuffaloBillmasteredthesebeastsasreadilyastheydidtheirownwesternhorses。
Attheirownworkofmasteringandridingroughhorsestheycouldnotbematchedbytheirmorecivilizedrivals；butIhavegreatdoubtswhethertheyinturnwouldnothavebeenbeateniftheyhadessayedkindsofhorsemanshiputterlyalientotheirpastexperience，suchasridingmettledthoroughbredsinasteeple-chase，orthelike。Otherthingsbeingequal（which，however，theygenerallyarenot），abad，bighorsefedonoatsoffersarathermoredifficultproblemthanabadlittlehorsefedongrass。AfterBuffaloBill’smenhadreturned，Ioccasionallyhearditsaidthattheyhadtriedcross-countryridinginEngland，andhadshownthemselvespre-eminentlyskilfulthereat，doingbetterthantheEnglishfox-hunters，butthisItakethelibertytodisbelieve。IwasinEnglandatthetime，huntedoccasionallymyself，andwaswithmanyofthemenwhowereallthetimeridinginthemostfamoushunts；men，too，whoweregreatlyimpressedwiththeexhibitionsofroughridingthenbeinggivenbyBuffaloBillandhismen，andwhotalkedofthemmuch；andyetInever，atthetime，heardofaninstanceinwhichoneofthecowboysrodetohoundswithanymarkedsuccess。[*]InthesamewayIhavesometimesinNewYorkorLondonheardofmenwho，itwasalleged，hadbeenoutWestandprovedbetterridersthanthebronco-bustersthemselves，justasIhaveheardofsimilarmenwhowereabletogoouthuntingintheRockiesorontheplainsandgetmoregamethanthewesternhunters；butinthecourseofalongexperienceintheWestIhaveyettoseeanyofthesemen，whetherfromtheeasternStatesorfromEurope，actuallyshowsuchsuperiorityorperformsuchfeats。
[*]Itishowever，quitepossible，nowthatBuffaloBill’scompanyhascrossedthewaterseveraltimes，thatanumberofthecowboyshavebypracticebecomeproficientinridingtohounds，andinsteeple-
chasing。
ItwouldbeinterestingtocomparetheperformancesoftheAustralianstock-riderswiththoseofourowncowpunchers，bothincow-workandinriding。TheAustralianshaveanentirelydifferentkindofsaddle，andtheuseoftheropeisunknownamongthem。Acoupleofyearsagothefamouswesternrifle-shot，Carver，tooksomecowboysouttoAustralia，andIaminformedthatmanyoftheAustraliansbeganthemselvestopractisewiththeropeafterseeingthewayitwasusedbytheAmericans。AnAustraliangentleman，Mr。A。J。Sage，ofMelbourne，towhomIhadwrittenaskinghowthesaddlesandstylesofridingcompared，answeredmeasfollows：
\"Withregardtosaddles，hereitisamootquestionwhichisthebetter，yoursorours，forbuck-jumpers。Carver’sboysrodeintheirownsaddlesagainstourVictoriansintheirs，allonAustralianbuckers，andhonorsseemedeasy。Eachwasgoodinhisownstyle，butthehorseswerenotwhatIshouldcallreallygoodbuckers，suchasyoumightgetonabackstation，andsotherewasnothingintheshowthatcouldunseatthecowboys。Itisonlybackinthebushthatyoucangetareallygoodbucker。Ihaveoftenseenoneofthemputbothmanandsaddleoff。\"
ThislastisafeatIhavemyselfseenperformedintheWest。I
supposetheamountofitisthatboththeAmericanandtheAustralianroughridersare，fortheirownwork，justasgoodasmenpossiblycanbe。
OnespringIhadtoleavetheEastinthemidstofthehuntingseason，tojoinaroundupinthecattlecountryofwesternDakota，anditwascurioustocomparethetotallydifferentstylesofridingofthecowboysandthecross-countrymen。Astock-saddleweighsthirtyorfortypoundsinsteadoftenorfifteenandneedsanutterlydifferentseatfromthatadoptedintheEast。Acowboyrideswithverylongstirrups，sittingforkedwelldownbetweenhishighpommelandcantle，anddependsuponbalanceaswellasonthegripofhisthighs。Incuttingoutasteerfromaherd，inbreakingaviciouswildhorse，insittingabuckingbronco，instoppinganightstampedeofmanyhundredmaddenedanimals，orintheperformanceofahundredotherfeatsofrecklessanddaringhorsemanship，thecowboyisabsolutelyunequalled；
andwhenhehashisownhorsegearhesitshisanimalwiththeeaseofacentaur。Yetheisquitehelplessthefirsttimehegetsastrideoneofthesmalleasternsaddles。Onesummer，whilepurchasingcattleinIowa，oneofmyranchforemenhadtogetonanordinarysaddletorideoutoftownandseeabunchofsteers。Heisperhapsthebestriderontheranch，andwillwithouthesitationmountandmasterbeaststhatI
doubtiftheboldestriderinoneofoureasternhuntswouldcaretotackle；yethisuneasinessonthenewsaddlewasfairlycomical。Atfirsthedidnotdaretotrotandtheleastplungeofthehorsebidfairtounseathim，nordidhebegintogetaccustomedtothesituationuntiltheveryendofthejourney。Infact，thetwokindsofridingaresoverydifferentthatamanonlyaccustomedtoone，feelsalmostasillateasewhenhefirsttriestheotherasifhehadneversatonahorse’sbackbefore。Itisratherfunnytoseeamanwhoonlyknowsonekind，andisconceitedenoughtothinkthatthatisreallytheonlykindworthknowing，whenfirstheisbroughtintocontactwiththeother。TwoorthreetimesIhaveknownmentrytofollowhoundsonstock-saddles，whichareaboutasill-suitedforthepurposeastheywellcanbe；whileitisevenmorelaughabletoseesomeyoungfellowfromtheEastorfromEnglandwhothinksheknowsentirelytoomuchabouthorsestobetaughtbybarbarians，attemptinhisturntodocow-workwithhisordinaryridingorhuntingrig。Itmustbesaid，however，thatinallprobabilitycowboyswouldlearntoridewellacrosscountrymuchsoonerthantheaveragecross-countryriderwouldmasterthedashingandpeculiarstyleofhorsemanshipshownbythosewhoselifebusinessistoguardthewanderingherdsofthegreatwesternplains。
Ofcourse，ridingtohounds，likeallsportsinlongsettled，thicklypeopledcountries，failstodevelopinitsfollowerssomeofthehardyqualitiesnecessarilyincidenttothewilderpursuitsofthemountainandtheforest。WhileIwasonthefrontierIwasstruckbythefactthatofthemenfromtheeasternStatesorfromEnglandwhohadshownthemselvesathometobegoodriderstohoundsorhadmadetheirrecordsascollegeathletes，alargerproportionfailedinthelifeofthewildernessthanwasthecaseamongthosewhohadgainedtheirexperienceinsuchroughpastimesasmountaineeringinthehighAlps，wintercaribou-huntinginCanada，ordeer-stalking——notdeer-driving——
inScotland。
Nevertheless，ofallsportspossibleincivilizedcountries，ridingtohoundsisperhapsthebestiffollowedasitshouldbe，forthesakeofthestrongexcitement，withasmuchsimplicityaspossible，andnotmerelyasafashionableamusement。Ittendstodevelopmoralnolessthanphysicalqualities；theriderneedsnerveandhead；hemustpossessdaringandresolution，aswellasagooddealofbodilyskillandacertainamountofwirytoughnessandendurance。
CHAPTERVIII。
WOLVESANDWOLF-HOUNDS。
Thewolfisthearchtypeofravin，thebeastofwasteanddesolation。
ItisstillfoundscatteredthinlythroughoutallthewilderportionsoftheUnitedStates，buthaseverywhereretreatedfromtheadvanceofcivilization。
Wolvesshowaninfinitevarietyincolor，size，physicalformation，andtemper。Almostallthevarietiesintergradewithoneanother，however，sothatitisverydifficulttodrawahardandfastlinebetweenanytwoofthem。Nevertheless，westoftheMississippitherearefoundtwodistincttypes。Oneisthewolfproper，orbigwolf，specificallyakintothewolvesoftheeasternStates。Theotheristhelittlecoyote，orprairiewolf。ThecoyoteandthebigwolfarefoundtogetherinalmostallthewilderdistrictsfromtheRioGrandetothevalleysoftheupperMissouriandtheupperColumbia。
Throughoutthisregionthereisalwaysasharplineofdemarkation，especiallyinsize，betweenthecoyotesandthebigwolvesofanygivendistrict；butincertaindistrictsthebigwolvesareverymuchlargerthantheirbrethreninotherdistricts。IntheupperColumbiacountry，forinstance，theyareverylarge；alongtheRioGrandetheyaresmall。Dr。HartMerriaminformsmethat，accordingtohisexperience，thecoyoteislargestinsouthernCalifornia。Inmanyrespectsthecoyotediffersaltogetherinhabitsfromitsbigrelative。Foronethingitisfarmoretolerantofman。Insomelocalitiescoyotesaremorenumerousaroundsettlements，andevenintheclosevicinityoflargetowns，thantheyareinthefrowninganddesolatefastnesseshauntedbytheirgrimelderbrother。
Bigwolvesvaryfarmoreincolorthanthecoyotesdo。Ihaveseenwhite，black，red，yellow，brown，gray，andgrizzledskins，andothersrepresentingeveryshadebetween，althoughusuallyeachlocalityhasitsprevailingtint。Thegrizzled，gray，andbrownoftenhavepreciselythecoatofthecoyote。Thedifferenceinsizeamongwolvesofdifferentlocalities，andevenofthesamelocality，isquiteremarkable，andso，curiouslyenough，isthedifferenceinthesizeoftheteeth，insomecasesevenwhenthebodyofonewolfisasbigasthatofanother。IhaveseenwolvesfromTexasandNewMexicowhichwereundersized，slimanimalswithrathersmalltusks，innowaytobecomparedtothelong-toothedgiantsoftheirracethatdwellintheheavilytimberedmountainsoftheNorthwestandinthefarNorth。Asarule，theteethofthecoyotearerelativelysmallerthanthoseofthegraywolf。
Formerlywolveswereincrediblyabundantincertainpartsofthecountry，notablyonthegreatplains，wheretheywereknownasbuffalowolves，andwereregularattendantsonthegreatherdsofthebison。
Everytravellerandhunteroftheolddaysknewthemasamongthemostcommonsightsoftheplains，andtheyfollowedthehuntingpartiesandemigranttrainsforthesakeofthescrapsleftincamp。Now，however，thereisnodistrictinwhichtheyarereallyabundant。Thewolfers，orprofessionalwolf-hunters，whokilledthembypoisoningforthesakeoftheirfur，andthecattlemen，wholikewisekilledthembypoisoningbecauseoftheirraidsontheherds，havedoubtlessbeenthechiefinstrumentsinworkingtheirdecimationontheplains。Inthe’70’s，andevenintheearly’80’s，manytensofthousandsofwolveswerekilledbythewolfersinMontanaandnorthernWyomingandwesternDakota。Nowadaysthesurvivingwolvesoftheplainshavelearnedcaution；theynolongermoveabroadatmidday，andstilllessdotheydreamofhangingonthefootstepsofhunterandtraveler。Insteadofbeingoneofthemostcommontheyhavebecomeoneoftherarestsightsoftheplains。Ahuntermaywanderfarandwidethroughtheplainsformonthsnowadaysandneverseeawolf，thoughhewillprobablyseemanycoyotes。However，thediminutiongoeson，notsteadilybutbyfitsandstarts，andmoreover，thebeastsnowandthenchangetheirabodes，andappearinnumbersinplaceswheretheyhavebeenscarceforalongperiod。Inthepresentwinterof1892-’93bigwolvesaremoreplentifulintheneighborhoodofmyranchthantheyhavebeenfortenyears，andhaveworkedsomehavocamongthecattleandyounghorses。
Thecowboyshavebeencarryingontheusualvindictivecampaignagainstthem；anumberhavebeenpoisoned，andanumberofothershavefallenvictimstotheirgreediness，thecowboyssurprisingthemwhengorgedtorepletiononthecarcassofacoltorcalf，and，inconsequence，unabletorun，sothattheyareeasilyriddendown，roped，andthendraggedtodeath。
Yeteventheslaughterwroughtbymanincertainlocalitiesdoesnotseemadequatetoexplainthescarcityorextinctionofwolves，throughoutthecountryatlarge。Inmostplacestheyarenotfollowedanymoreeagerlythanaretheotherlargebeastsofprey，andtheyareusuallyfollowedwithlesssuccess。Ofallanimalsthewolfistheshyestandhardesttoslay。Itisalmostorquiteasdifficulttostill-huntasthecougar，andisfarmoredifficulttokillwithhounds，traps，orpoison；yetitscarcelyholdsitsownaswellasthegreatcat，anditdoesnotbegintoholditsownaswellasthebear，abeastcertainlynevermorereadilykilled，andonewhichproducesfeweryoungatabirth。ThroughouttheEasttheblackbeariscommoninmanylocalitiesfromwhichthewolfhasvanishedcompletely。ItatpresentexistsinveryscantynumbersinnorthernMaineandtheAdirondacks；isalmostorquiteextinctinPennsylvania；lingershereandthereinthemountainsfromWestVirginiatoeastTennessee，andisfoundinFlorida；butiseverywherelessabundantthanthebear。Itispossiblethatthisdestructionofthewolvesisduetosomediseaseamongthem，perhapstohydrophobia，aterriblemaladyfromwhichitisknownthattheysuffergreatlyattimes。Perhapsthebearishelpedbyitshabitofhibernating，whichfreesitfrommostdangersduringwinter；butthiscannotbethecompleteexplanation，forintheSouthitdoesnothibernate，andyetholdsitsownaswellasintheNorth。
WhatmakesitallthemorecuriousthattheAmericanwolfshoulddisappearsoonerthanthebearisthatthereverseisthecasewiththealliedspeciesofEurope，wherethebearismuchsoonerkilledoutoftheland。
Indeedthedifferencesofthissortbetweennearlyrelatedanimalsareliterallyinexplicable。MuchofthedifferenceintemperamentbetweensuchcloselyalliedspeciesastheAmericanandEuropeanbearsandwolvesisdoubtlessduetotheirsurroundingsandtotheinstinctstheyhaveinheritedthroughmanygenerations；butformuchofthevariationitisnotpossibletoofferanyexplanation。Inthesamewaytherearecertainphysicaldifferencesforwhichitisveryhardtoaccount，asthesameconditionsseemtooperateindirectlyreversewayswithdifferentanimals。NoonecanexplaintheprocessofnaturalselectionwhichhasresultedintheotterofAmericabeinglargerthantheotterofEurope，whilethebadgerissmaller；intheminkbeingwithusamuchstouteranimalthanitsScandinavianandRussiankinsman，whilethereverseistrueofoursableorpinemarten。NoonecansaywhytheEuropeanreddeershouldbeapigmycomparedtoitsgiantbrother，theAmericanwapiti；whytheOldWorldelkshouldaveragesmallerinsizethanthealmostindistinguishableNewWorldmoose；andyetthebisonofLithuaniaandtheCaucasusbeonthewholelargerandmoreformidablethanitsAmericancousin。Inthesamewaynoonecantellwhyunderlikeconditionssomegame，suchasthewhitegoatandthesprucegrouse，shouldbetamerthanothercloselyalliedspecies，likethemountainsheepandruffledgrouse。NoonecansaywhyonthewholethewolfofScandinaviaandnorthernRussiashouldbelargerandmoredangerousthantheaveragewolfoftheRockyMountains，whilebetweenthebearsofthesameregionsthecomparisonmustbeexactlyreversed。
Thedifferenceevenamongthewolvesofdifferentsectionsofourowncountryisverynotable。ItmaybetruethatthespeciesasawholeisratherweakerandlessferociousthantheEuropeanwolf；butitiscertainlynottrueofthewolvesofcertainlocalities。ThegreattimberwolfofthecentralandnorthernchainsoftheRockiesandcoastrangesisineverywayamoreformidablecreaturethanthebuffalowolfoftheplains，althoughtheyintergrade。Theskinsandskullsofthewolvesofnorth-westernMontanaandWashingtonwhichI
haveseenwerequiteaslargeandshowedquiteasstoutclawsandteethastheskinsandskullsofRussianandScandinavianwolves，andIbelievethatthesegreattimberwolvesareineverywayasformidableastheirOldWorldkinsfolk。However，theylivewheretheycomeincontactwithapopulationofrifle-bearingfrontierhunters，whoareverydifferentfromEuropeanpeasantsorAsiatictribesmen；
andtheyhave，evenwhenmosthungry，awholesomedreadofhumanbeings。YetIdoubtifanunarmedmanwouldbeentirelysafeshouldhe，whilealoneintheforestinmid-winterencounterafair-sizedpackofravenouslyhungrytimberwolves。
Afull-growndog-wolfofthenorthernRockies，inexceptionalinstances，reachesaheightofthirty-twoinchesandaweightof130
pounds；abigbuffalowolfoftheupperMissouristandsthirtyorthirty-oneinchesattheshoulderandweighsabout110pounds。ATexaswolfmaynotreachovereightypounds。Thebitch-wolvesaresmaller；
andmoreoverthereisoftengreatvariationeveninthewolvesofcloselyneighboringlocalities。
Thewolvesofthesouthernplainswerenotoftenformidabletolargeanimals，eveninthedayswhentheymostabounded。Theyrarelyattackedthehorsesofthehunter，andindeedwerebutlittleregardedbytheseexperiencedanimals。Theyweremuchmorelikelytognawoffthelariatwithwhichthehorsewastied，thantotrytomolestthesteedhimself。Theypreferredtopreyonyounganimals，orontheweakanddisabled。Theyrarelymolestedafull-growncoworsteer，stilllessafull-grownbuffalo，and，iftheydidattacksuchananimal，itwasonlywhenemboldenedbynumbers。IntheplainsoftheupperMissouriandSaskatchewanthewolfwas，andis，moredangerous，whileinthenorthernRockieshiscourageandferocityattaintheirhighestpitch。Nearmyownranchthewolveshavesometimescommittedgreatdepredationsoncattle，buttheyseemtohavequeerfreaksofslaughter。Usuallytheypreyonlyuponcalvesandsicklyanimals；butinmidwinterIhaveknownonesingle-handedtoattackandkillawell-
grownsteerorcowdisablingitsquarrybyrapidsnapsatthehamsorflanks。OnlyrarelyhaveIknownittoseizebythethroat。Coltsarelikewiseafavoriteprey，butwithuswolvesrarelyattackfull-grownhorses。Theyaresometimesveryboldintheirassaults，fallingonthestockwhileimmediatelyaroundtheranchhouses。TheyevenventureintothehamletofMedoraitselfatnight——asthecoyotessometimesdobyday。Inthespringof’92weputonsomeeasterntwo-year-oldsteers；theyarrived，andwereturnedloosefromthestock-yards，inasnowstorm，thoughitwasinearlyMay。Nextmorningwefoundthatonehadbeenseized，slain，andpartiallydevouredbyabigwolfattheverygateofthestockyard；probablythebeasthadseenitstandingneartheyardafternightfallfeelingmiserableafteritsjourney，inthestormanditsunaccustomedsurroundings，andhadbeenemboldenedtomaketheassaultsoneartownbytheevidenthelplessnessoftheprey。
ThebigtimberwolvesofthenorthernRockyMountainsattackeveryfour-footedbeasttobefoundwheretheylive。Theyarefarfromcontentingthemselveswithhuntingdeerandsnappingupthepigsandsheepofthefarm。Whentheweathergetscoldandfoodscarcetheybandtogetherinsmallparties，perhapsoffourorfiveindividuals，andthenassailanything，evenabearorapanther。Abullelkorbullmoose，whenonitsguard，makesamostdangerousfight；butasinglewolfwillfrequentlymasterthecowofeitheranimal，aswellasdomesticcattleandhorses。Inattackingsuchlargegame，however，thewolvesliketoactinconcert，onespringingattheanimal’shead，andattractingitsattention，whiletheotherhamstringsit。Nevertheless，onesuchbigwolfwillkillanordinaryhorse。AmanIknew，whowasengagedinpackingintotheCoeurd’Alenes，oncewitnessedsuchafeatonthepartofawolf。Hewastakinghispacktraindownintoavalleywhenhesawahorsegrazingtherein；ithadbeenturnedloosebyanotherpackingoutfit，becauseitbecameexhausted。Helostsightofitasthetrailwentdownazigzag，andwhileitwasthusoutofsighthesuddenlyheardituttertheappallingscream，unlikeandmoredreadfulthananyothersound，whichahorseonlyuttersinextremefrightoragony。Thescreamwasrepeated，andashecameinsightagainhesawthatagreatwolfhadattackedthehorse。Thepooranimalhadbeenbittenterriblyinitshaunchesandwascoweringuponthem，whilethewolfstoodandlookedatitafewpacesoff。Inamomentortwothehorsepartiallyrecoveredandmadeadesperateboundforward，startingatfullgallop。Immediatelythewolfwasafterit，overhauleditinthreeorfourjumps，andthenseizeditbythehock，whileitslegswereextended，withsuchviolenceastobringitcompletelybackonitshaunches。Itagainscreamedpiteously；andthistimewithafewsavagesnapsthewolfhamstrungandpartiallydisembowelledit，anditfellover，havingmadenoattempttodefenditself。Ihaveheardofmorethanonceincidentofthiskind。Ifahorseisagoodfighter，however，asoccasionally，thoughnotoften，happens，itisamoredifficultpreyforanywildbeast，andsomeveteranhorseshavenofearofwolveswhatsoever，wellknowingthattheycaneitherstrikethemdownwiththeirforefeetorrepulsethembylashingoutbehind。
Wolvesarecunningbeastsandwilloftentrytolulltheirpreyintounsuspicionbyplayingroundandcuttingcapers。Ioncesawayoungdeerandawolf-cubtogethernearthehutofthesettlerwhohadcapturedboth。Thewolfwasjustoldenoughtobegintofeelviciousandbloodthirsty，andtoshowsymptomsofattackingthedeer。Ontheoccasioninquestionhegotlooseandrantowardsit，butitturned，andbegantohithimwithitsforefeet，seeminglyinsport；whereatherolledoveronhisbackbeforeit，andactedlikeapuppyatplay。
Soonitturnedandwalkedoff；immediatelythewolf，withbristlinghair，crawledafter，andwithapounceseizeditbythehaunch，andwoulddoubtlesshavemurderedthebleating，strugglingcreature，hadnotthebystandersinterfered。
Wheretherearenodomesticanimals，wolvesfeedonalmostanythingfromamousetoanelk。Theyareredoubtedenemiesoffoxes。Theyareeasilyabletoovertaketheminfairchase，andkillnumbers。Ifthefoxcangetintotheunderbrush，however，hecandodgearoundmuchfasterthanthewolf，andsoescapepursuit。Sometimesonewolfwilltrytoputafoxoutofacoverwhileanotherwaitsoutsidetosnaphimup。Moreover，thewolfkillsevencloserkinsfolkthanthefox。
Whenpressedbyhungeritwillundoubtedlysometimesseizeacoyote，tearitinpiecesanddevourit，althoughduringmostoftheyearthetwoanimalsliveinperfectharmony。Ioncemyself，whileoutinthedeepsnow，cameacrosstheremainsofacoyotethathadbeenkilledinthismanner。Wolvesarealsoveryfondofthefleshofdogs，andiftheygetachancepromptlykillandeatanydogtheycanmaster——andtherearebutfewthattheycannot。Nevertheless，Ihavebeentoldofoneinstanceinwhichawolfstruckupanextraordinaryfriendshipwithastrayeddog，andthetwolivedandhuntedtogetherformanymonths，beingfrequentlyseenbythesettlersofthelocality。ThisoccurrednearThompson’sFalls，Montana。
Usuallywolvesarefoundsingly，inpairs，orinfamilyparties，eachhavingalargebeatoverwhichitregularlyhunts，andalsoattimesshiftingitsgroundandtravellingimmensedistancesinordertotakeupatemporaryabodeinsomenewlocality——fortheyaregreatwanderers。Itisonlyunderstressofsevereweatherthattheybandtogetherinpacks。Theyprefertocreepontheirpreyandseizeitbyasuddenpounce，but，unlikethecougar，theyalsorunitdowninfairchase。Theirslouching，tirelessgallopenablesthemoftentoovertakedeer，antelope，orotherquarry；thoughunderfavorablecircumstances，especiallyifnearalake，thelatterfrequentlyescape。WhetherwolvesruncunningIdonotknow；butIthinktheymust，forcoyotescertainlydo。Acoyotecannotrundownajack-rabbit；buttwoorthreeworkingtogetherwilloftencatchone。OnceIsawthreestartajack，whichranrightawayfromthem；buttheyspreadout，andfollowed。
Prettysoonthejackturnedslightly，andrannearoneoftheoutsideones，sawit，becamemuchfrightened，andturnedatrightangles，soassoontonearlyrunintotheotheroutsideone，whichhadkeptstraighton。Thishappenedseveraltimes，andthentheconfusedjacklaydownunderasage-bushandwasseized。SoIhaveseentwocoyotesattemptingtogetatanewlydroppedantelopekid。Onewouldmakeafeintofattack，andlurethedamintoarushathim，whiletheotherstoleroundtogetatthekid。Thedam，asalwayswiththesespiritedlittleprong-bucks，madeagoodfight，andkepttheassailantsatbay；
yetIthinktheywouldhavesucceededintheend，hadInotinterfered。Coyotesareboldandcunninginraidingthesettler’sbarn-yardsforlambsandhens；andtheyhaveanespeciallikingfortamecats。Iftherearecoyotesintheneighborhoodacatwhichgetsintothehabitofwanderingfromhomeissurelylost。
Though，Ihaveneverknownwolvestoattackaman，yetinthewilderportionofthefarNorthwestIhaveheardthemcomearoundcampveryclose，growlingsosavagelyastomakeonealmostreluctanttoleavethecampfireandgooutintothedarknessunarmed。OnceIwascampedinthefallnearalonelylittlelakeinthemountains，bytheedgeofquiteabroadstream。Soonafternightfallthreeorfourwolvescamearoundcampandkeptmeawakebytheirsinisteranddismalhowling。
TwoorthreetimestheycamesoclosetothefirethatIcouldhearthemsnaptheirjawsandgrowl，andatonetimeIpositivelythoughtthattheyintendedtotrytogetintocamp，soexcitedweretheybythesmellofthefreshmeat。Afterawhiletheystoppedhowling；andthenallwassilentforanhourorso。IletthefiregooutandwasturningintobedwhenIsuddenlyheardsomeanimalofconsiderablesizecomedowntothestreamnearlyoppositemeandbegintosplashacross，firstwading，thenswimming。ItwaspitchdarkandIcouldnotpossiblysee，butIfeltsureitwasawolf。Howeveraftercominghalf-wayoveritchangeditsmindandswambacktotheoppositebank；
nordidIseeorhearanythingmoreofthenightmarauders。
FiveorsixtimesontheplainsoronmyranchIhavehadshotsatwolves，alwaysobtainedbyaccidentandalways，Iregrettosay，missed。Oftenthewolfwhenseenwasrunningatfullspeedforcover，orelsewassofaroffthatthoughmotionlessmyshotswentwideofit。ButoncehaveIwithmyownriflekilledawolf，andthiswaswhiletravellingwithapacktraininthemountains。Wehadbeenmakingconsiderablenoise，andIneverunderstoodhowananimalsowarypermittedournearapproach。Hedid，nevertheless，andjustaswecametoalittlestreamwhichweweretofordIsawhimgetonadeadlogsomethirtyyardsdistantandwalkslowlyoffwithhiseyesturnedtowardus。Thefirstshotsmashedhisshouldersandbroughthimdown。
Thewolfisoneoftheanimalswhichcanonlybehuntedsuccessfullywithdogs。Mostdogshoweverdonottakeatallkindlytothepursuit。
Awolfisaterriblefighter。Hewilldecimateapackofhoundsbyrabidsnapswithhisgiantjawswhilesufferinglittledamagehimself；
noraretheordinarybigdogs，supposedtobefightingdogs，abletotacklehimwithoutspecialtraining。Ihaveknownonewolftokillabulldogwhichhadrushedatitwithasinglesnap，whileanotherwhichhadenteredtheyardofaMontanaranchhouseslewinquicksuccessionbothofthelargemastiffsbywhichitwasassailed。Theimmenseagilityandferocityofthewildbeast，theterriblesnapofhislong-
toothedjaws，andtheadmirabletraininginwhichhealwaysis，givehimagreatadvantageoverfat，small-toothed，smooth-skinneddogs，eventhoughtheyarenominallysupposedtobelongtothefightingclasses。Inthewaythatbenchcompetitionsarearrangednowadaysthisisbutnatural，asthereisnotemptationtoproduceaworthyclassoffightingdogwhentherewardsaregivenupontechnicalpointswhollyunconnectedwiththedog’susefulness。Aprize-winningmastifforbulldogmaybealmostuselessfortheonlypurposesforwhichhiskindiseverusefulatall。Amastiff，ifproperlytrainedandofsufficientsize，mightpossiblybeabletomeetayoungorundersizedTexaswolf；butIhaveneverseenadogofthisvarietywhichIwouldesteemamatchsingle-handedforoneofthehugetimberwolvesofwesternMontana。Evenifthedogwastheheavierofthetwo，histeethandclawswouldbeverymuchsmallerandweakerandhishidelesstough。IndeedIhaveknownofbutonedogwhichsingle-handedencounteredandslewawolf；thiswasthelargeviciousmongrelwhosefeatsarerecordedinmy/HuntingTripsofaRanchman/。
GeneralMarcyoftheUnitedStatesArmyinformedmethatheoncechasedahugewolfwhichhadgottenawaywithasmalltraponitsfoot。Itwas，Ibelieve，inWisconsin，andhehadtwentyorthirtyhoundswithhim，buttheywereentirelyuntrainedinwolf-hunting，andprovedunabletostopthecrippledbeast。Fewofthemwouldattackitatall，andthosethatdidwentatitsinglyandwithacertainhesitation，andsoeachinturnwasdisabledbyasingleterriblesnap，andleftbleedingonthesnow。GeneralWadeHamptontellsmethatinthecourseofhisfiftyyears’huntingwithhorseandhoundinMississippi，hehasonseveraloccasionstriedhispackoffox-hounds（southerndeer-hounds）afterawolf。Hefoundthatitwaswiththegreatestdifficulty，however，thathecouldpersuadethemtosomuchasfollowthetrail。Usually，assoonastheycameacrossit，theywouldgrowl，bristleup，andthenretreatwiththeirtailsbetweentheirlegs。Butoneofhisdogseverreallytriedtomasterawolfbyitself，andthisonepaidforitstemeritywithitslife；forwhilerunningawolfinacanebrakethebeastturnedandtoreittopieces。
FinallyGeneralHamptonsucceededingettinganumberofhishoundssotheywouldatanyratefollowthetrailinfullcry，andthusdrivethewolfoutofthethicket，andgiveachancetothehuntertogetashot。Inthiswayhekilledtwoorthree。
Thetruewaytokillwolves，however，istohuntthemwithgreyhoundsonthegreatplains。Nothingmoreexcitingthanthissportcanpossiblybeimagined。Itisnotalwaysnecessarythatthegreyhoundsshouldbeofabsolutelypureblood。Prize-winningdogsofhighpedigreeoftenproveuselessforthepurposes。Ifbycarefulchoice，however，aranchmancangettogetherapackcomposedbothofthesmooth-hairedgreyhoundandtherough-hairedScotchdeer-hound，hecanhaveexcellentsport。Thegreyhoundssometimesdobestiftheyhaveaslightcrossofbulldogintheirveins；butthisisnotnecessary。Ifonceagreyhoundcanbefairlyenteredtothesportandacquiresconfidence，thenitswonderfulagility，itssinewystrengthandspeed，andtheterriblesnapwithwhichitsjawscometogether，renderitamostformidableassailant。Nothingcanpossiblyexceedthegallantrywithwhichgoodgreyhounds，whentheirbloodisup，flingthemselvesonawolforanyotherfoe。Theredoesnotexist，andthereneverhasexistedonthewideearth，amoreperfecttypeofdauntlesscouragethansuchahound。NotCushingwhenhesteeredhislittlelaunchthroughtheblacknightagainstthegreatramAlbemarle，notCusterdashingintothevalleyoftheRosebudtodiewithallhismen，notFarraguthimselflashedintheriggingoftheHartfordassheforgedpastthefortstoencounterheriron-cladfoe，canstandasamoreperfecttypeofdauntlessvalor。
OnceIhadthegoodfortunetowitnessaveryexcitinghuntofthischaracteramongthefoot-hillsofthenorthernRockies。Iwasstayingatthehouseofafriendlycowman，whomIwillcallJudgeYancyStump。
JudgeYancyStumpwasaDemocratwho，ashephrasedit，hadfoughtforhisDemocracy；thatis，hehadbeenintheConfederateArmy。Hewasatdaggersdrawnwithhisnearestneighbor，across-grainedmountainfarmer，whomaybeknownasoldmanPrindle。OldmanPrindlehadbeenintheUnionArmy，andhisRepublicanismwasoftheblackestandmostuncompromisingtype。Therewasonepoint，however，onwhichthetwocametogether。Theywereexceedinglyfondofhuntingwithhounds。TheJudgehadthreeorfourtrack-hounds，andfourofwhichhecalledswift-hounds，thelatterincludingonepure-bredgreyhoundbitchofwonderfulspeedandtemper，adun-coloredyelpinganimalwhichwasacrossbetweenagreyhoundandafox-hound，andtwoothersthatwerecrossesbetweenagreyhoundandawire-hairedScotchdeer-hound。OldmanPrindle’scontributiontothepackconsistedoftwoimmensebrindledmongrelsofgreatstrengthandferocioustemper。TheywereunlikeanydogsIhaveeverseeninthiscountry。TheirmotherherselfwasacrossbetweenabullmastiffandaNewfoundland，whilethefatherwasdescriedasbeingabigdogthatbelongedtoa\"DutchCount。\"The\"DutchCount\"wasanoutcastGermannoble，whohaddriftedtotheWest，and，afterfailingintheminesandfailinginthecattlecountry，haddiedinasqualidlogshantywhilestrivingtoekeoutanexistenceasahunteramongthefoot-hills。Hisdog，Ipresume，fromthedescriptiongivenme，musthavebeenaboar-houndorUlmdog。
AsIwasveryanxioustoseeawolf-hunttheJudgevolunteeredtogetoneup，andaskedoldmanPrindletoassist，forthesakeofhistwobigfightingdogs；thoughtheverynamesofthelatter，GeneralGrantandOldAbe，weregallandwormwoodtotheunreconstructedsouloftheJudge。Stilltheyweretheonlydogsanywherearoundcapableoftacklingasavagetimberwolf，andwithouttheiraidthejudge’sownhigh-spiritedanimalsranaseriousriskofinjury，fortheywerealtogethertoogametoletanybeastescapewithoutastruggle。
Luckfavoredus。Twowolveshadkilledacalfanddraggeditintoalongpatchofdensebrushwheretherewasalittlespring，thewholefurnishingadmirablecoverforanywildbeast。Earlyinthemorningwestartedonhorsebackforthisbitofcover，whichwassomethreemilesoff。ThepartyconsistedoftheJudge，oldmanPrindle，acowboy，myself，andthedogs。ThejudgeandIcarriedourriflesandthecowboyhisrevolver，butoldmanPrindlehadnothingbutaheavywhip，forheswore，withmanyoaths，thatnooneshouldinterferewithhisbigdogs，forbythemselvestheywouldsurely\"makethewolffeelsickerthanastuckhog。\"Ourshaggyponiesrackedalongatafive-
milegaitoverthedewyprairiegrass。Thetwobigdogstrottedbehindtheirmaster，grimandferocious。Thetrack-houndsweretiedincouples，andthebeautifulgreyhoundslopedlightlyandgracefullyalongsidethehorses。Thecountrywasfine。Amiletoourrightasmallplainsriverwoundinlongcurvesbetweenbanksfringedwithcottonwoods。Twoorthreemilestoourleftthefoot-hillsrosesheerandbare，withclumpsofblackpineandcedarintheirgorges。Werodeovergentlyrollingprairie，withhereandtherepatchesofbrushinthebottomsoftheslopesaroundthedrywatercourses。
Atlastwereachedasomewhatdeepervalleyinwhichthewolveswereharbored。Wolvesliecloseinthedaytimeandwillnotleavecoveriftheycanhelpit；andastheyhadbothfoodandwaterwithinweknewitwasmostunlikelythatthiscouplewouldbegone。Thevalleywasacoupleofhundredyardsbroadandthreeorfourtimesaslong，filledwithagrowthofashanddwarfelmandcedar，thornyunderbrushchokingthespacesbetween。Postingthecowboy，towhomhegavehisrifle，withtwogreyhoundsononesideoftheupperend，andoldmanPrindlewithtwoothersontheoppositeside，whileIwasleftatthelowerendtoguardagainstthepossibilityofthewolvesbreakingback，theJudgehimselfrodeintothethicketnearmeandloosenedthetrack-houndstoletthemfindthewolves’trail。Thebigdogsalsowereuncoupledandallowedtogoinwiththehounds。Theirpowerofscentwasverypoor，buttheyweresuretobeguidedarightbythebayingofthehounds，andtheirpresencewouldgiveconfidencetothelatterandmakethemreadytoroutthewolvesoutofthethicket，whichtheywouldprobablyhaveshrunkfromdoingalone。Therewasamoment’spauseofexpectationaftertheJudgeenteredthethicketwithhishounds。Wesatmotionlessonourhorses，eagerlylookingthroughthekeenfreshmorningair。Thenaclamorousbayingfromthethicketinwhichboththehorsemananddogshaddisappearedshowedthatthehoundshadstruckthetrailoftheirquarryandwererunningonahotscent。Foracoupleofminuteswecouldnotbequitecertainwhichwaythegamewasgoingtobreak。Thehoundsranzigzagthroughthebrush，aswecouldtellbytheirbaying，andoncesomeyelpingandagreatrowshowedthattheyhadcomerathercloserthantheyhadexpecteduponatleastoneofthewolves。
Inanotherminute，however，thelatterfoundittoohotforthemandboltedfromthethicket。Myfirstnoticeofthiswasseeingthecowboy，whowasstandingbythesideofhishorse，suddenlythrowuphisrifleandfire，whilethegreyhoundswhohadbeenspringinghighintheair，halfmaddenedbytheclamorinthethicketbelow，foramomentdashedoffthewrongway，confusedbythereportofthegun。I
rodeforallIwasworthtowherethecowboystood，andinstantlycaughtaglimpseoftwowolves，grizzled-grayandbrown，whichhavingbeenturnedbyhisshothadstartedstraightoverthehillacrosstheplaintowardthemountainsthreemilesaway。AssoonasIsawthemI
sawalsothattherearmostofthecouplehadbeenhitsomewhereinthebodyandwaslaggingbehind，thebloodrunningfromitsflanks，whilethetwogreyhoundswereracingafterit；andatthesamemomentthetrack-houndsandthebigdogsburstoutofthethicket，yellingsavagelyastheystruckthebloodytrail。Thewolfwashardhit，andstaggeredasheran。Hedidnothaveahundredyards’startofthedogs，andinlessthanaminuteoneofthegreyhoundsrangedupandpassedhimwithasavagesnapthatbroughthimtoo；andbeforehecouldrecoverthewholepackrushedathim。Weakenedashewashecouldmakenoeffectivefightagainstsomanyfoes，andindeedhadachanceforbutoneortworapidsnapsbeforehewasthrowndownandcompletelycoveredbythebodiesofhisenemies。Yetwithoneofthesesnapshediddamage，asashrillyelltold，andinasecondanover-
rashtrack-houndcameoutofthestrugglewithadeepgashacrosshisshoulders。Theworrying，growling，andsnarlingwereterrific，butinaminutetheheavingmassgrewmotionlessandthedogsdrewoff，saveoneortwothatstillcontinuedtoworrythedeadwolfasitlaystarkandstiffwithglazedeyesandrumpledfur。
NosoonerwerewesatisfiedthatitwasdeadthantheJudge，withcheersandoathsandcrackingsofhiswhip，urgedthedogsaftertheotherwolf。ThetwogreyhoundsthathadbeenwitholdmanPrindlehadfortunatelynotbeenabletoseethewolveswhentheyfirstbrokefromthecover，andneversawthewoundedwolfatall，startingoffatfullspeedaftertheunwoundedonetheinstanthetoppedthecrestofthehill。Hehadtakenadvantageofaslighthollowandturned，andnowthechasewascrossingushalfamileaway。Withwhipandspurweflewtowardsthem，ourtwogreyhoundsstretchingoutinfrontandleavingusasifwewerestandingstill，thetrack-houndsandbigdogsrunningafterthemjustaheadofthehorses。Fortunatelythewolfplungedforamomentintoalittlebrushyhollowandagaindoubledback，andthisgaveusachancetoseetheendofthechasefromnearby。Thetwogreyhoundswhichhadfirsttakenupthepursuitwerethenbutashortdistancebehind。Nearertheycreptuntiltheywerewithintenyards，andthenwithatremendousracethelittlebitchranpasthimandinflictedaviciousbiteinthebigbeast’sham。Hewhirledaroundlikeatopandhisjawsclashedlikethoseofasprungbear-trap，butquickthoughhewasshewasquickerandjustclearedhissavagerush。
Inanothermomentheresumedhisflightatfullspeed，aspeedwhichonlythatofthegreyhoundsexceeded；butalmostimmediatelythesecondgreyhoundrangedalongside，andthoughhewasnotabletobite，becausethewolfkeptrunningwithitsheadturnedaroundthreateninghim，yetbyhisfeintshedelayedthebeast’sflightsothatinamomentortwotheremainingcoupleofswifthoundsarrivedonthescene。Foramomentthewolfandallfourdogsgallopedalonginabunch；thenoneofthegreyhounds，watchinghischance，pinnedthebeastcleverlybythehockandthrewhimcompletelyover。Theothersjumpedonitinaninstant；butrisingbymainstrengththewolfshookhimselffree，catchingonedogbytheearandtearingithalfoff。
Thenhesatdownonhishaunchesandthegreyhoundsrangedthemselvesaroundhimsometwentyyardsoff，formingaringwhichforbadehisretreat，thoughtheythemselvesdidnotdaretouchhim。Howevertheendwasathand。InanothermomentOldAbeandGeneralGrantcamerunningupatheadlongspeedandsmashedintothewolflikeacoupleofbattering-rams。Heroseonhishind-legslikeawrestlerastheycameathim，thegreyhoundsalsorisingandbouncingupanddownlikerubberballs。Icouldjustseethewolfandthefirstbigdoglockedtogether，asthesecondonemadegoodhisthroat-hold。Inanothermomentoverallthreetumbled，whilethegreyhoundsandoneortwoofthetrack-houndsjumpedintotakepartinthekilling。Thebigdogsmorethanoccupiedthewolf’sattentionandtookallthepunishing，whileinatriceoneofthegreyhounds，havingseizedhimbythehind-
leg，stretchedhimout，andtheotherswerebitinghisundefendedbelly。Thesnarlingandyellingoftheworrymadeanoisesofiendishthatitwasfairlybloodcurdling；thenitgraduallydieddown，andthesecondwolflaylimpontheplains，killedbythedogs，unassisted。
Thiswolfwasratherheavieranddecidedlytallerthaneitherofthebigdogs，withmoresinewyfeetandlongerfangs。
Ihaveseveraltimesseenwolvesrundownandstoppedbygreyhoundsafterabreak-neckgallopandawildlyexcitingfinish，butthiswastheonlyoccasiononwhichIeversawthedogskillabig，full-grownhe-wolfunaided。Neverthelessvariousfriendsofmineownpacksthathaveperformedthefeatagainandagain。Onepack，formerlykeptatFortBenton，untilwolvesinthatneighborhoodbecamescarce，hadnearlyseventy-fivetoitscredit，mostofthemkilledwithoutanyassistancefromthehunter；killedmoreoverbythegreyhoundsalone，therebeingnootherdogswiththepack。Thesegreyhoundsweretrainedtothethroat-hold，anddidtheirownkillinginfinestyle；usuallysixoreightwereslippedtogether。GeneralMilesinformsmethatheoncehadgreatfunintheIndianTerritoryhuntingwolveswithapackofgreyhounds。Theyhadwiththepackalargestub-tailedmongrel，ofdoubtfulancestrybutmostundoubtedfightingcapacity。Whenthewolfwasstartedthegreyhoundsweresuretoovertakeitinamileortwo；
theywouldthenbringittoahaltandstandarounditinaringuntilthefightingdogcameup。Thelatterpromptlytumbledonthewolf，grabbinghimanywhere，andoftengettingaterrificwoundhimselfatthesametime。Assoonashehadseizedthewolfandwasrollingoverwithhiminthegrappletheotherdogsjoinedinthefrayanddispatchedthequarrywithoutmuchdangertothemselves。
DuringthelastdecademanyranchmeninColorado，Wyoming，andMontana，havedevelopedpacksofgreyhoundsabletokillawolfunassisted。Greyhoundstrainedforthispurposealwaysseizebythethroat；andthelightdogsusedforcoursingjack-rabbitsarenotofmuchservice，smoothorrough-hairedgreyhoundsanddeer-houndsstandingoverthirtyinchesattheshoulderandweighingoverninetypoundsbeingtheonlyonesthat，togetherwithspeed，courage，andendurance，possesstherequisitepower。
OneofthemostfamouspacksintheWestwasthatoftheSunRiverRoundClub，inMontana，startedbythestockmenofSunRivertogetridofthecurseofwolveswhichinfestedtheneighborhoodandworkedveryseriousdamagetotheherdsandflocks。Thepackwascomposedofbothgreyhoundsanddeer-hounds，thebestbeingfromthekennelsofColonelWilliamsandofMr。VanHummel，ofDenver；theywerehandledbyanoldplainsmanandveteranwolf-hunternamedPorter。Intheseasonof’86theastonishingnumberof146wolveswerekilledwiththesedogs。Ordinarily，assoonasthedogsseizedawolf，andthreworheldit，Porterrushedinandstabbeditwithhishunting-knife；
oneday，whenoutwithsixhounds，hethuskillednolessthantwelveoutofthefifteenwolvesstarted，thoughoneofthegreyhoundswaskilled，andalltheotherswerecutandexhausted。Butoftenthewolveswerekilledwithouthisaid。Thefirsttimethetwobiggesthounds——deer-houndsorwire-hairedgreyhounds——weretried，whentheyhadbeenattheranchonlythreedays，theyperformedsuchafeat。A
largewolfhadkilledandpartiallyeatenasheepinacorralclosetotheranchhouse，andPorterstartedonthetrail，andfollowedhimatajog-trotnearlytenmilesbeforethehoundssightedhim。Runningbutafewrods，heturnedviciouslytobay，andthetwogreatgreyhoundsstruckhimlikestoneshurledfromacatapult，throwinghimastheyfastenedonhisthroat；theyheldhimdownandstrangledhimbeforehecouldrise，twootherhoundsgettingupjustintimetohelpattheendoftheworry。
Ordinarily，however，notwogreyhoundsordeer-houndsareamatchforagraywolf，butIhaveknownofseveralinstancesinColorado，Wyoming，andMontana，inwhichthreestrongveteranshavekilledone。
Thefeatcanonlybeperformedbybigdogsofthehighestcourage，whoallacttogether，rushinattopspeed，andseizebythethroat；forthestrengthofthequarryissuchthatotherwisehewillshakeoffthedogs，andthenspeedilykillthembyrabidsnapswithhisterriblyarmedjaws。Wherepossible，halfadozendogsshouldbeslippedatonce，tominimizetheriskofinjurytothepack；unlessthisisdone，andunlessthehunterhelpsthedogsintheworry，accidentswillbefrequent，andanoccasionalwolfwillbefoundabletobeatoff，maimingorkilling，alessernumberofassailants。Somehunterspreferthesmoothgreyhound，becauseofitsgreatspeed，andothersthewire-
coatedanimal，theroughdeer-hound，becauseofitssuperiorstrength；
both，ifoftherightkind，aredauntlessfighters。
ColonelWilliams’greyhoundshaveperformedmanynoblefeatsinwolf-
hunting。Hespentthewinterof1875intheBlackHills，whichatthattimedidnotcontainasinglesettler，andfairlyswarmedwithgame。
Wolveswereespeciallynumerousandveryboldandfierce，sothatthedogsofthepartywerecontinuallyinjeopardyoftheirlives。Ontheotherhandtheytookanamplevengeance，formanywolveswerecaughtbythepack。Wheneverpossible，thehorsemenkeptcloseenoughtotakeanimmediatehandinthefight，ifthequarrywasafull-grownwolf，andthussavethedogsfromtheterriblepunishmenttheywereotherwisecertaintoreceive。Thedogsinvariablythrottled，rushingstraightatthethroat，butthewoundstheythemselvesreceivedweregenerallyintheflankorbelly；inseveralinstancesthesewoundsresultedfatally。Onceortwiceawolfwascaught，andheldbytwogreyhoundsuntilthehorsemencameupbutittookatleastfivedogstoovercomeandslayunaidedabigtimberwolf。Severaltimesthefeatwasperformedbyapartyoffive，consistingoftwogreyhounds，onerough-coateddeer-hound，andtwocross-bloods；andoncebyalitterofsevenyounggreyhounds，notyetcometotheirfullstrength。
Onceortwicetheso-calledRussianwolf-houndsorsilkycoatedgreyhounds，the\"borzois，\"havebeenimportedandtriedinwolf-
huntingonthewesternplains；buthithertotheyhavenotshownthemselvesequal，ateitherrunningorfighting，tothebigAmerican-
bredgreyhoundsofthetypeproducedbyColonelWilliamsandcertainothersofourbestwesternbreeders。IndeedIhaveneverknownanyforeigngreyhounds，whetherScotch，English，orfromcontinentalEurope，toperformsuchfeatsofcourage，endurance，andstrength，inchasingandkillingdangerousgame，asthehomebredgreyhoundsofColonelWilliams。
CHAPTERIX。
INCOWBOYLAND。
Outonthefrontier，andgenerallyamongthosewhospendtheirlivesin，oronthebordersof，thewilderness，lifeisreducedtoitselementalconditions。Thepassionsandemotionsofthesegrimhuntersofthemountains，andwildrough-ridersoftheplains，aresimplerandstrangerthanthoseofpeopledwellinginmorecomplicatedstatesofsociety。Assoonasthecommunitiesbecomesettledandbegintogrowwithanyrapidity，theAmericaninstinctforlawassertsitself；butintheearlierstageseachindividualisobligedtobealawtohimselfandtoguardhisrightswithastronghand。Ofcoursethetransitionperiodsarefullofincongruities。Menhavenotyetadjustedtheirrelationstomoralityandlawwithanyniceness。Theyholdstronglybycertainrudevirtues，andontheotherhandtheyquitefailtorecognizeevenasshortcomingsnotafewtraitsthatobtainscantmercyinoldercommunities。Manyofthedesperadoes，theman-killers，androad-agentshavegoodsidestotheircharacters。