Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-12-19
AN EXCITING HUNT.
Unexpected Aid In DISCRIMINATING
the Savage White Wolf.
4 Bloody Fight by Elks-Desperate
Kough-and- Tumble Encounter Re.
tween Hunter and q
rea Wounded Animal.

rt w'''... Animal
The owners Of the large sheep ranches
In this vicinity, says Linkville (Ore. !
dispatch to the Helena Mont Inde-
pendent, have been SO much annoyed
lately by the depredations committed
by the white wolf In their herds that a
great hunt for these daring marauders
was organizeU recently. The white
wolf Of Southern Oregon is the fiercest
animal-not even excepting the bear
to be found in the country, and it is a
formidable-looking beast, often attain
ing five feet in length, and nearly as
large asa yearling calf. His strength and
ferocity are remarkable, and his cour-
age undaunted, for he will frequently
attack full-grown COW. Knowing him
to be rather tough customer to tackle
at close quarters, the hunting party,
which consisted of half-a-dozen of the
neighboring stock-owners and your cor
respondent, went thoroughly armed
against him, with hunting-knives, re-
wo.vers and rifles. The cunning of the
animal in evading pursuit is incred-
ible, and, after chasing couple all
night we found ourselves no nearer
than before, SO just at daybreak halt
was decided upon, and breakfast was
eaten under an immense pine, growing
in narrow glen, between two rocky
crags, about quarter of mile or a
little more in length, and through which
little shallow stream trickled over
pebbly bottom. We kept as quiet as
possible, for the tracks of different
animals in the sandy banks of the
stream showed that it was frequent re-
sort of wild beasts, and, sure enough, be-
fore the meal was finished we felt the
ground begin to tremble under the
tread of an approaching band of some
large animals. Quick as thought we had
dispersed and taken upstations about two
hundred yards apart in the underbrush,
which was dense enough to conceal us
completely, and yet admit of our get
ting good view Of the game. We had
scarcely time to freely breathe before
the lower growth Of trees closing the
entrance of the little vale parted and
the form of huge elk appeared, advanc-
ing proudly toward the stream we had
Just left. A nobler-looking creature
than the elk found on the Pacific coast,
with his stately antlers, such as the
hunters of the Eastern States have no
conception Of, and his dainty tread and
sensitive nostrils, can not we'll be i'm
agjned.
The fine fellow I have spoken of ad-
wanced cautiously, shifting the air with
the excitement of suspicion, but he had
already passed our most distant out
post, so, apparently thinking return
equally hazardous, he brushed forward,
and was followed the next moment by
a herd-one, two, six, tent was i'm
possible to count them. But before our
rifles could be brought to the shoulder,
new actor appeared on the scene. A
white wolf, quite six feet in length, and
the largest the writer of this article
ever saw, came bowling from the belt
ei small timber already spoken Of.
hcws;ng frightfuiiy, and sprung on a
fawn drinking near its mother, and
which screamed loudly as the wolf bore
1t to the ground. This seemed to be
signal for the rest of the band to ap-
pear, and they came yelping down the
gl'n in pairs and threes, their blood
shot eyes and gaping mouths, with
smokingi lolling tongues, proclaiming
that they were hungry.
Inspired by the same feeling of curl
osity to see what would come Of the
wolves during attack, every man forbore
to interfere, and quietly watched the
combat that ensued. For the elks,
which had at first scarcely seemed to
comprehend the intentions of the wolves,
soon collected themselves, and tossing
their great heads, began to paw up the
earth with their fore feet, making the
air resound with their wild and furious
oeliowing. They formed circle about
the wolves that had crowded around the
body Of. the PROSTATE fawn and pre-
sented to them formidable rampant
OF bristling heads. This circle mar
rowed and narrowed until it completely
inclesed the wolves, that now began to
realize their danger, for they left their
prey, piunging forward at deer with
swapping Jaws and snarling in fright
fui manner that revealed their sharp,
cleaning teeth. But their ferocious on
saught was received on the lowered ant
iers that in turn struck at them and sent
them bowling back for few moments,
out only TO return again to the attempt
70 break through the bristling wall of
their antagonists This performance
was repeated again and again, the elks
closing together nearer and nearer at
each repetition, until they finally as
snmed the offensive altogether and be-
gan TO attack the wolves with hoof and
norm For q few minutes the scene
was one resembling pandemonium- The
piunglng aad leaping Of the maddened
trapped wolves and the steady rising
ana striking of the bodies of the deer,
w'fh Ao~is OF pain intermingled with
snr.ess Of rage and fearful snarling,
maas 1t An occasion never to be forgot
ven ~ any who was present As one Of
we wolves. making desperate dash
for sersy. broke at last from the circle
ans lied down the valley. Mr.. t.,
wne pas ny nexs neiEhbor in the brush.