The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-09-08

of the wolves and then make rust
right at the enemy. They are fleet
sure of foot, and they usually succeed
in butting and trampling to death the
exhausted wolves that they overtake in
their rush have seen such u terInina.
ton of skirmish time after time.
Great strength in their compact
frames is one natural advantage of the
sheep. On the ledges they are supreme,
and in that position of defense one ram
can safely guard an entire flock against
dozen wolves But out in the open II
ram has all he can do to attend to one
wolf. | witnessed one scene in which
the superiority of an instinct of general
ship and n good pair of horns was
demonstrated in II manner SO remark
able that the incident has been given
much Importance in the study of wild
animals by several prominent natural
lists.
*
Up in the Alaskan range sometimes
called the Alaskan Alps, at "A height of
about 1000 feet, | deserted two fine
specimens Of sheep pursued by five black
wolves These black wolves uenally
travel in packs, contrary to the habits
Of the gray wolves, in summer The
sheep kept on down the ledgc,, jumping
safely from one to another until they
reached II wide ledge ON witch they
Immediately turned around aud put
their heads to the pursuers. 1t struck
me that they had selected wisely for Il
battle ground, hut ! did not anticipate
the mode Of procedure that was to fol
low. The wolves came on tcrcely max
ing the attack As soon Us the first one
reached the ledge he was met 10y the
horns Of the nearer ram and WAS tossed
or butted down the precipice that the
ledge overlooked, Auothormd another
followed, until all had met the same
fate. When the battle was over three
of the wolves lay dashed to death 600
feet below the rams and two We're
killed or manned hy catching on ledge,
only fifty feet below would have
given almost anything at that time for
a photograph of the scene of battle. But
bad no camera ana if had been in
possession Of one could not have taken
II picture as the Iignt WIS against me-
afterward described the Scene to
Ernest Thompson Seton who drew u
picture Of il which he has used in some
of his literature on wild animals
Another thing that strWk me forcibly
about the habits of the sheep was that
after the battle for their lives those two
rams appeared to be absolutely com.
posed. They exhibited no trace Of
fright or excitement 1t must have
been an every day affair for them in the
strenuous existence of the mountains.
They simply turned toward the noun
tain to see if there were more wolves to
throw into eternity, looked over the
ledge where their conquered enemies
lay, and then lay down to rest did
not pursue them, although | readily
could have secured both, and from the
distance they seemed to be unusually
large; with great coiled horns sur
mounted on their stately heads But
felt SO proud Of them after the heroic
battle they had fought and won that !
dare say if even II fellow sportsman
had attempted to modest them would
have sent few pellets OF hot lead in
his direction The meat Of this animal
is unsurpassed by any other kind Of
flesh food one can live on it for months
and relish it more and more every day.
1t is wholesome, palatable and nutri
tious.