s in the distance very similar to those which
had disturbed us when further to the west, but here, so near the settled
districts, I thought nothing of the matter. I suspected that the
cunning mules were watching me, for when I turned towards the camp to
call Story, off one or two of them bolted. They had played me this
trick two or three times, and at last one of them led me so long a chase
that when I caught him I determined to punish the brute by securing him
to a tree. Having done so I turned towards the camp, but the fire had
burnt so low that I could scarcely see the spot. There was light
enough, however, to enable me to distinguish several objects moving over
the ground. Can they be Indians? I thought, as I ran forward hoping to
arouse my companions in time to defend themselves. Before I got up to
the camp, however, I saw what I at once knew to be a pack of wolves. On
they came without bark or yelp, making straight for our baggage. Among
the provisions we had purchased was a quantity of pemmican placed on the
top. I really believe that the wolves, cunning as foxes, had surveyed
our camp and knew exactly what to go in for. I shouted loudly, hoping
to frighten them off and awaken my friends; but even old Ben was
sleeping so soundly that for some time no one heard my voice, while I
was afraid to fire at the wolves for fear--in the uncertain light--of
hitting one of my sleeping companions. At length up sprang Story and
Peter, and their cries aroused the old trapper. It was too late,
however, to prevent the wolves making an onslaught on our baggage. Each
seized something in his mouth, but our cries prevented them from
remaining and devouring the whole of our provisions, which they
undoubtedly otherwise would have done. Off they went, several of the
rascals carrying bags of pemmican or of flour, or packages of hams in
their mouths. I fired and stopped the career of one of them, while my
companions, imitating my example, shot three others. We then, having
reloaded, made chase and brought down two or three more.

We should have regained the whole of our provisions, but, in several
instances, the moment a wolf was shot another brute seized his prize and
made off with it. Under other circumstances we should not have expended
powder on the brutes. We fired away, however, as long as any remained
within shot, and on searching for the booty we recovered nearly the
whole of it. Our chief loss was in our flour,