Wichita eagle., 1890-02-07
0REGON'S WHITE WOLF.
DESCRIPTION OF A BATTLE BETWEEN
WOLVES AND ELKS.

Out on . HUNT After the MSrsudefD Of
Their Sheep Fiocis and Meet With an Ex.
citing Adventure.
The owners of the large sheep ranches
in the vicinity of Linkville, Ore, have
been so much annoyed by the depreda-
tons committed by the white wolf in
their herds that a grand hunt for these
daring marauders was organized. The
white wolf of southern Oregon is the
fiercest animal-not even excepting the
bear-to be found in the country, and is
formidable looking beast, often attain
ing five feet in length and nearly as large
as a yearling calf. His strength and
ferocity are remarkable, and his courage
undaunted.
knowing him to be rather tough Gus
TONER to tackle at close quarters, the
hunting party, which consisted of half a
dozen OF the neighboring stock owners
and correspondent of The Independent,
went thoroughly armed against him with
hunting knives, revolvers and rifles. The
cunning of the animal in evading pursuit
is incredible, and after chasing a 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
a narrow glen between two rocky crags
about quarter of mile or little more
In length and through which little shall
low 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
a frequent resort of wild beasts, and
sure enough before the meal was finished
we felt the ground begin to treuble
under the tread of an approaching band
OF some large animals. Quick as thought
we had dispersed and taken up stations
about two hundred yards apart in the
underbrush, which was dense enough to
conceal us completely, and yet admit of
us getting a 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 hooking 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, cannot well be i'm
agined. The fine fellow l have spoken
of advanced 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 a 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 howling from
the belt of small timber already spoken
of, bowling frightfully, and sprang on
fawn drinking near its mother, which
screamed loudly as the wolf bore it to
the ground. This seemed to be the sig
nal for the rest of the band to appear,
and they came yelping down the glen in
pairs and threes, their bloodshot ewes
and gaping mouths, with smoking, loll-
ing tongues, proclaiming that they were
hungry. Inspired by the same feeling
of curiosity to see what would come of
the wolves during the attack every man
forbore to interfere and quietly watched
the combat that ensued.
For the elks, which had at first scarce
ly seemed to comprehend the intentions
of the wolves, soon collected themselves,
and, tossing their great heads, began to
paw the earth with their fore feet, max |
ing the air resound with their wild and !
furious believing. They formed circle |
about the wolves that had crowded |
around the body of the PROSTATE fawn
and presented TO them a formidable RAM
part of bristiing heads. This circle mar.
rowed and narrowed until 1t completely |
ncfosed the wolves, that now began to |
-eafize their danger, for they left their
prey, plunging forward at deer with
jaws and snarling IN a fright
,ul manner that revealed their sharp,
cleaning teeth. But thejr ferocious on
'laught was received on the lowSred ant
ers, that in turn struck at them and sent
hem bowling back for few moments,
nut only to return again 10 the attempt
o break through the bristling wall of
heir antagonists. This performance was
epeated again and again, the eIks clos
ng together nearer and nearer at each
epetftion. until they finally assumed the
ffensive altogether and began to attack
he wolves with haof and horn. For
ew minutes the scene was ono resem-
ling pandemonipm. The pIunging and
Gaping of the naddened trapped wolves
nd the steady rising and striking of the
odles of the deer, with howis Of pain
with the shrieks Of rage and
earful snariing, made it An occasion
ever TO be forgotten by any who were
resent. As one of the wolves, making
desperate dash for liberty, broke st last
rom the circle and fed down the valley,
[r. T, who vas my next neightpor In
,e brush, sent sho. after him, bat il
7as apparently without effect, and was
kewise wholly unnosiced by the eiks.
In half an hour the couatszt was ended,
I'D the fury Of the eiks being appeasei
as it might well have been, for they
ad killed the last enc Of the wolves
ley wit1drew 20 that we could see tho
IN and bleeding bodies Of the wolves
lat lay scattered about the dead fawn.
be deer began nsw TO betrsy their old
neasiness at our hidden presence, and
e, Judging it was time to have soEne :
'ort IN our own behalf, sent volley Of
.ot into thern- Three Of the beautiful,
ately creatures fen piunging 20 the
.r.rxA 1sntr Iafsra ]