aving contributed to extirpate this
devouring crew. I must, however, caution the uninitiated to be very
careful in the use of this deadly poison: indeed it should only be used
by the most experienced trappers, and then at some distance from the
settlement.

The price of the wolf-skin varies from 5 shillings to 7 shillings, 6
pence, Halifax currency, according to size and quality: they are always
in good demand for sleigh-robes.* Those made of this species of fur are
considered the most elegant and _distingue_.

[* Sleigh-robes are commonly made of bear or buffalo skins dressed with
the hair on. The most fashionable are racoon or wolf. Several of these
skins are sewn together, with the tails of the animals stitched to the
bottom of the robe. The inside lining is generally scarlet or purple
cloth. A well equipped sleigh should have two robes for each seat, one
of which should cover the cushions, and fall gracefully over the back
of the seat, whilst the other is drawn over the passengers, and wraps
them securely from the cold.]

A perilous adventure once befel my brother-in-law, James. He was a bold
brave boy, of ten years old at the time, and was on his return home
with a pair of oxen, with which he had been assisting a neighbour
residing about six miles from his father's house. His road lay by the
river shore, which was dreary enough at the fall of the year and in the
evening hour: but the child was fearless, and saw the deepening shades
sink into night without experiencing anything like apprehension.

He was trudging on steadily, singing cheerfully as he walked, when a
sound came on the night-air that sent a shiver through the young
pedestrian's frame--the war-cry of the wolves. At first he hoped he was
not the object of pursuit; but the hideous uproar came nearer and
nearer, and then he knew that he must instantly adopt some plan for his
escape.

His route lay by the river shore, and he could swim well; but the night
was dark, and he might be hurried into the rapids; and to be dashed to
pieces on the rocks was scarcely less dreadful than to be mangled and
devoured by wolves. In this extremity, the child lifted up his brave
young heart to God, and resolved to use the only chance left him of
escape. So he mounted Buck, the near-ox, making use of his goad,
shouting at the same time to the animal, to excite him to his utmost
speed.

In most cases, the horned steed would have flung off his rider, and
left him for wo