The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-02-27

WOLF MATES.
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BY JOHN BIRD HUnNHAbT.

not be sure that the wolf had eaten
any of the bait, as we had neglected
to count the number OF pieces. But
the trail made by the wolf on leaving
the spot was Significant It was evil
dent that he had been galloping tow
ard little column Of vapor
That's the steam from open water"
said Mac. POISONED animals make for
water the first thing, and I'm thinking
wen be sleeping on a wolf robe be-
fore a great while"
We followed the train, which became
eventually an uncertain zigzag; and
presently we saw SOME ravens Fly up
from the sloping river bank into the
trees above. They were croaldng
hoarsely. Below them lay a great
gaunt white wolf Here and there the
snow was flecked with blood A fresh
scar In his side showed that the iav-
ems had already begun their work.
There was a certain appearance Of
benignity about the dead beast hat
did not at all accord with our pre-
conceived opinion Of wolves. The head
was set on a powerful neck and
crowned with an almost leoniRe run of
thick, coarse hair. The wolf was well
on in years. His teeth were blunted,
he was blind in one eye, and two great
tushes projected from his mouth at
the SIDE
Half a dozen porcupine quilts were
sticking in his nose, mute evidence Of
the straits to which hunger had re-
duced the old monarch
Mac raised the wolf on my should
ders. and taking turns, we managed to
carry him to camp.
Soon Mac went up the river three
miles to a cache Of supplies, and re-
sumed my task Of shedding our outfit
TO the cabin site, At the spot where
the dead wolf had fallen. we had hid
den the poison under the river bank.
forgetting IN the excitement OF the
capture to put out any more After
Mac had gone. determined to 60
down and distribute It in suitable
places before the end OF the afternoon.
But something happened which
changed my plans.
On my third trip, as / was plodding
along, dragging the heavily loaded
sled by a rope over one shoulder,
saw the imprint Of VOLTS claws in
the trail directly over my own foot
marks Of few minutes before. It
was evident that wolf had been dog
ging my steps. was totally unpre-
pared for defence. left the Sled
where It was. and hurrying to the tent.
secured a rife With that In my
hands, hoped to see the beast
Why had the wolf been following
me on the open river2 II It was seek
ing chance to attack me the most
natural course would have been to lie
IA wait in the spruce grove through
(which ] passed to the cabin site.
continued my trip through this piece Of
woodland without molestation, and no
sound broke the stiffness.
It was not pntil I had gone back
20 the boats, taken on another load
and was returning on the sInuous path
that / saw new sigma fresh wolf
trail branching at right angles from
the sled track and heading down rlv-
err in the direction Of the sheep camp
It Was evident that the wolf had been
travelling on the path toward me. ana
had only turned aside at the last mo-
ment when meeting was otherwise
Inevitable.
! ran to a place where ] could see
beyond the island, and, sure enough
there was the wolf in plain sight al
that moment climbing the river bauk
at the identical spot where the arsf
wclf had died.
threw the rife to my face. but 4
great leap carried the beast ont N
sight "a the snow-laden forest; ana
as It did not come into view again
lowered the gun and stood waitinr ana
watching Some ravens few On from
the ground into a tree nearer ny porI-
ton than the place where the wolf
bad disappeared Then a red squirrel
81 a point still closer. began chatter
ing. I heard crackiing ia tho brush
that grew ct The rivers edge directly
opposite. but strain my eyes AS I