were left far in the
rear, yet it remained entirely surrounded by the enemy. Occasionally,
when a chasing wolf became exhausted, one of the guards (abandoning
his post) would enter the ring, and, not being fatigued, was able to
carry on the pursuit with redoubled vigour. Thus the chase was kept up
with increasing fierceness by means of a succession of fresh wolves,
until the poor deer finally sank down and surrendered its life. The
voracious pack then rushed from their stations indiscriminately, and
coming in contact immediately over their prey, a most frightful
contest ensued among them. Horrific yells and screams could be heard
by the men as they looked on from their distant position. At times the
wolves were so closely jumbled together that nothing could be
distinguished but one black, heaving, and echoing mass. But the
struggle was soon over. In a very few moments, they became quiet, and
started off in a comparatively peaceful manner towards the island,
whence their prize had been driven, in quest of others. When they
abandoned the spot where their victim had fallen, not so much as a
bone remained.

"That's making a clean business of it!" said Sneak.

"Its no such thing!" said Joe; "it's a nasty trick to swallow hide,
bones, and bowels, in that manner."

"Its clean for wolves," said Sneak.

"Oh, may be you're part wolf," said Joe.

"Now, none of your gab, or I'll play some other trick on you, worse
than that at the spring."

"You be hanged," retorted Joe; "I'll give you leave to do it when you
get a chance the next time."

"It is a great pity that the deer are subject to such destruction,"
remarked Glenn.

"The wolves we saw are all on yonder island," said Boone, "and if you
are disposed to have a hunt, I have no doubt we might kill some of
them."

"We are entirely dependent upon the deer for animal food," said
Roughgrove; "and if we could only surround that party of wolves as
they did the deer, we might do the settlement much good service."

"I go in for it," said Sneak.

"I'd rather wait a day or two, till the Indians have gone clean off,"
said Joe.

"There is nothing to fear from them now," said Boone, "unless
something they might steal should fall in their way. But it will not
require an hour to rout the wolves on the little island."

"Then let us hasten and get our guns, and be upon them before they
leave it," said Glenn.

They returned to the house, and were all soon equipped for the
onsl