Wichita eagle., 1890-01-21
HUNTING WHITE WOLVES.

HUNTING WHITE WOLVES.
A Desperate Combae Between . Pack of
These Animals and . Band of Elka
Many tales have been told of the cowardice
of wolves, but the white wolf of southern
Oregon is the fercest animal-not even ex-
cepting the bear-4to be fennd In the country,
and is formidable looking beast, often at
tanning five feet in length, and nearly as large
as yeariing calf. Ills strength and ferocity
are remarkable, and his courage undoubted,
for he will frequently attack full grown
cow.
A'highly. interesting account of the ad-
ventures OF a white wolf hunting party Ii
given in The Helena independent The cum
ming of the aninalin evading pursuit is really
incredible, says the writer, and, after chasing
couple all night, We found ourselves no
nearer than before. So just at daybreak a
halt was decided upon, and breakfast was
eaten under an immense pine growing in a
narrow glen between two rocky crags about
quarter of a nile or little more in length,
and through which little shallow stream
trickled over pebbiy bottom.
We kept as quiet as possible, for the tracks
of different animals in the sandy banks Of the
stream showed that it was q. frequent resort
of wild beasts, and sure enough before 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 up stations about 200 yards apartin the
underbrush, which was dense enough to con-
ceal US completely, and yet admit of our OBJ
tanning good view of the game.
We had scarcely time to freely breathe be-
fore the low growth of trees closing the
entrance to the little vale parted, and the
form Of a huge elk appeared, advancing
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 boosters of the eastern
states have no conception of, and his dainty
tread and sensitive nostrils, cannot we'll be
imagined.
The fine fellow have spoken of advanced
cautiously, shifting the air with the excite
ment of suspicion, but he had already passed
our most distant outpost, SO apparently
thinking return equally hazardous he
brushed forward and was followed the next
by herd, one, two, six, tent was
impossible to count them.
But before our rifles could be brought to
the shoulder new actor appeared on the
scene. A white vol, quite six feet in
length, and the largest the writer of this
article ever saw, came bowling from the belt
Of small timber already spoken of, bowling
frig htfully, and sprang on a fawn drinking
near its mother, and which screamed loudly
rs the wolf boreit to the ground
This seemed to be signal for the rest Of
the band to appear, and they came yelping
down the glen in pairs aud threes, their
bloodshot eyes and gaping mouths, with
lolling tongues, pruclaiming that
they were hungry and meant mischief.
Inspired by the same feeling of curiosity to
see what would come of the wolves daring
attack, every man forebore to interfere and
quietly watched the combat that ensued. For
lhe elks, which had at first scarcely seemed
to comprehend the intention of the wolves,
;oon collected themselves, and tossing their
great heads began to paw the earth with
their fore feet, making the air resound with
heir wild aud furious believing.
They formed a circle about tbs wolves that
lad crowded around the body Of the PROSTATE
lawn and presented to them a formidable
'ampart of bristling heads. This circle mar
owed and narrowed until it completely en-
closed the wolves, that now began to realize
heir danger, for they left their prey, plung
ng forward at a deer, with swapping jaws
md snarling in frightful manner that re.
7ealed their sharp, cleaning teeth.
But their ferocious onslaught was received
N the lowered antlers that in turn struck at
hem, and sent them bowling back for few
minutes, but only to return again to the at
empt to break through the bristiing wall of
heir antagonists
This performance was repeated again and
gain, the elks closing together nearer and
learer at each repetition, until they finally
Issumed the offensive altogether and began
o attack the wolves with hoof and horn
For a few minutes the scene was one re-
embling pandemonium. The plunging and
Gaping of the maddened trapped wolves and
he steady rising and striking of the bodies
f the deer, with bowls of pain, intermingled
With shrieks Of rage and fearful snarling,
nade it an occasion never to be forgotten by
ny who was present.
As one of the wolves, making a desperate
ASH for liberty, broke at last from the circle
nd fled down the valley, Mr.. T., who was
ny next neighbor in the brush, sent shot
fter MIN, but it was apparently without
fleet, and was likewise wholly unnoticed by
be elks.
In half an hour the combat was ended. and
he fury of the elks being appeased-as it
light well have been, for they had killed the
asst one of the wolves-they withdrew, Sc
hat we could see the torn and bleeding bodies |
the wolves that lay scattered about ths |
cad fawn.
The deer now began to betray their old /
neasiness at our hidden presence, and we,
1dging it was time to have some sport in our /
wn behalf, sent velley Of shot into them. !
Three Of the beautiful, stately creatures
I'll plunging to the ground in the death |
gony, while fourth, splendid buck and
ne leader of the herd, was making a sue
ession OF agonizing springs to fellow his
ompanions that had dashed down the glen
18th the laundering tread OF troop Of
avalry.
The three fatally wounded elks died as we
atched them, and couple Of well directed
lots brought down the fourth, so we bound
lem and the wolves to the horses and turned
IT faces homeward, feeling that our wolf
mt on the whole might be considered sue
,Ssful
Much Ado About Nothing.
There are times when economy is not