Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-05-20
0REGON'S WHITE WOLF.
DESCRIPTION or A BATTLE BETWEEN
WOLVES AND ELKs.

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
Gercest animal-not even excepting the
bear--to be found in the country, and il
a formidable looking beast, often attain
ing five feet in length and nearly as large
as yearling calf. His strength and
ferocitv 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
dozen Of the neighboring stock owners
and correspondent OF The Independent,
went thoroughly armed against him with
huating knives, revolvers and rifles. The
cunning of the animal in oyading pursuit
is incredible, and after chasing couple
all night we found ourselves no nearer
than before, so just at daybroab 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 o little shall
low stream trickled overa pebbly bottom.
We kept as quiet rs possible, for the
tracks OF different animals in the sandy
banks OF the stream showed that il was
a 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 two hundred yards apart in the
underhrush, which was dense enough to
conceal US completely, and yet admit Of
MS 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, adyanc-
ing proudly toward the stream we had
Just left. 4 nobler looking creature
than the elk found on the Pacific coast,
with his stately amtlers, such as the
hunters Of the eastern states have no
conception of, and his dainty tread and
sensitive nostrils, cannot well be inn
agined. The fine fellow | have spoken
Of advanced cautiously. shifting the air
with the excitement of suspicion, but he
had already passed our most distant out
post. 50. apparently thinking return
equally hazardous, lac brushed forward
and was followed the next moment by
herd-one, two, six, tent was inn
possible 10 count them.
But before our rifles could he brought
TO the shoulder s-Sew actor appeared on
the scene \ white wolf, 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 frightiully, and sprang on a
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 eyes
and gaping mouths. with smoking, loll
ing tongues proclaiming that they were
hungry. Inspired 10y 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 ellzs, 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 a circle
about the wolves that had crowded
around the body of the PROSTATE fawn
and presented to them a formidable ram
part of bristling heads. This circle mar.
rowed and narrowed until it completely
inclosed the wolves, that now began e
realize their danger, for they left THEN
prey, pluuging forward at a deer with
swapping jaws and snarliug in a fright
full manner that revealed their sharp
cleaning teeth. But their ferocious ON
slaught was received ON the lowered ant
lers, that in turn struck at them and sent
them bowling back for few moments
but only TO return again 20 the attempt
to break through the bristling wall o.
their antagonists. This performance wa
repeated again and again, the elks clos
ing together nearer and nearer at eacl
repetition, until they finally assumed thu
offensive altogether and began to attacl
the wolves with hoof and horn. For
few minutes the scene was one resem
bling pandemonium. The plunging am
leaping Of the maddened trapped wolve
and the steady rising and striking Of tn
bodies of the deer, with bowls Of pail
intermingled with the shrieks Of rage an
fearful snarling. made it an occasion
never TO be forgotten by any who wer
present. As one Of the wolves, maxim
desperate dash for liberty, broke at las
from the circle and fed down the valley
Mr.. T., who was my next neighbor j
the brush, sent shot after him, but
was apparently without effect, and wa
likewise wholly unnoticcd by the elks.
In half an hour the combat was ended
aud the fury of the elks being appease
-as il might we'll have been, for the
had killed the last one Of the wolves
they withdrew SO that we could see I'll
torn and bleeding bodies Of the wolvl
That lay scattered about the dead fawI
The deer began now TO betray their Of
unoasiness at our hidden presence, an
we, judging it was time to have SON
sport in our own behalf, sent volley
shot into them. Three of the beautiful
stately creatures fell plunging to I'll
ground in the death agony. Helen
MONTY Enterprise.