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one such big wolf will kill an ordinary horse。 A man I knew； who was
engaged in packing into the Coeur d'Alenes； once witnessed such a feat
on the part of a wolf。 He was taking his pack train down into a valley
when he saw a horse grazing therein； it had been turned loose by
another packing outfit； because it became exhausted。 He lost sight of
it as the trail went down a zigzag； and while it was thus out of sight
he suddenly heard it utter the appalling scream； unlike and more
dreadful than any other sound； which a horse only utters in extreme
fright or agony。 The scream was repeated； and as he came in sight
again he saw that a great wolf had attacked the horse。 The poor animal
had been bitten terribly in its haunches and was cowering upon them；
while the wolf stood and looked at it a few paces off。 In a moment or
two the horse partially recovered and made a desperate bound forward；
starting at full gallop。 Immediately the wolf was after it； overhauled
it in three or four jumps； and then seized it by the hock； while its
legs were extended； with such violence as to bring it completely back
on its haunches。 It again screamed piteously； and this time with a few
savage snaps the wolf hamstrung and partially disembowelled it； and it
fell over； having made no attempt to defend itself。 I have heard of
more than once incident of this kind。 If a horse is a good fighter；
however； as occasionally； though not often； happens； it is a more
difficult prey for any wild beast； and some veteran horses have no
fear of wolves whatsoever； well knowing that they can either strike
them down with their forefeet or repulse them by lashing out behind。
Wolves are cunning beasts and will often try to lull their prey into
unsuspicion by playing round and cutting capers。 I once saw a young
deer and a wolf…cub together near the hut of the settler who had
captured both。 The wolf was just old enough to begin to feel vicious
and bloodthirsty； and to show symptoms of attacking the deer。 On the
occasion in question he got loose and ran towards it； but it turned；
and began to hit him with its forefeet； seemingly in sport； whereat he
rolled over on his back before it； and acted like a puppy at play。
Soon it turned and walked off； immediately the wolf； with bristling
hair； crawled after； and with a pounce seized it by the haunch； and
would doubtless have murdered the bleating； struggling creature； had
not the bystanders interfered。
Where there are no domestic animals； wolves feed on almost anything
from a mouse to an elk。 They are redoubted enemies of foxes。 They are
easily able to overtake them in fair chase； and kill numbers。 If the
fox can get into the underbrush； however； he can dodge around much
faster than the wolf； and so escape pursuit。 Sometimes one wolf will
try to put a fox out of a cover while another waits outside to snap
him up。 Moreover； the wolf kills even closer kinsfolk than the fox。
When pressed by hunger it will undoubtedly sometimes seize a coyote；
tear it in pieces and devour it； although during most of the year the
two animals live in perfect harmony。 I once myself； while out in the
deep snow； came across the remains of a coyote that had been killed in
this manner。 Wolves are also very fond of the flesh of dogs； and if
they get a chance promptly kill and eat any dog they can masterand
there are but few that they cannot。 Nevertheless； I have been told of
one instance in which a wolf struck up an extraordinary friendship
with a strayed dog； and the two lived and hunted together for many
months； being frequently seen by the settlers of the locality。 This
occurred near Thompson's Falls； Montana。
Usually wolves are found singly； in pairs； or in family parties； each
having a large beat over which it regularly hunts； and also at times
shifting its ground and travelling immense distances in order to take
up a temporary abode in some new localityfor they are great
wanderers。 It is only under stress of severe weather that they band
together in packs。 They prefer to creep on their prey and seize it by
a sudden pounce； but； unlike the cougar； they also run it down in fair
chase。 Their slouching； tireless gallop enables them often to overtake
deer； antelope； or other quarry； though under favorable circumstances；
especially if near a lake； the latter frequently escape。 Whether
wolves run cunning I do not know； but I think they must； for coyotes
certainly do。 A coyote cannot run down a jack…rabbit； but two or three
working together will often catch one。 Once I saw three start a jack；
which ran right away from them； but they spread out； and followed。
Pretty soon the jack turned slightly； and ran near one of the outside
ones； saw it； became much frightened； and turned at right angles； so
as soon to nearly run into the other outside one； which had kept
straight on。 This happened several times； and then the confused jack
lay down under a sage…bush and was seized。 So I have seen two coyotes
attempting to get at a newly dropped antelope kid。 One would make a
feint of attack； and lure the dam into a rush at him； while the other
stole round to get at the kid。 The dam； as always with these spirited
little prong…bucks； made a good fight； and kept the assailants at bay；
yet I think they would have succeeded in the end； had I not
interfered。 Coyotes are bold and cunning in raiding the settler's
barn…yards for lambs and hens； and they have an especial liking for
tame cats。 If there are coyotes in the neighborhood a cat which gets
into the habit of wandering from home is surely lost。
Though； I have never known wolves to attack a man； yet in the wilder
portion of the far Northwest I have heard them come around camp very
close； growling so savagely as to make one almost reluctant to leave
the camp fire and go out into the darkness unarmed。 Once I was camped
in the fall near a lonely little lake in the mountains； by the edge of
quite a broad stream。 Soon after nightfall three or four wolves came
around camp and kept me awake by their sinister and dismal howling。
Two or three times they came so close to the fire that I could hear
them snap their jaws and growl； and at one time I positively thought
that they intended to try to get into camp； so excited were they by
the smell of the fresh meat。 After a while they stopped howling； and
then all was silent for an hour or so。 I let the fire go out and was
turning into bed when I suddenly heard some animal of considerable
size come down to the stream nearly opposite me and begin to splash
across； first wading； then swimming。 It was pitch dark and I could not
possibly see； but I felt sure it was a wolf。 However after coming
half…way over it changed its mind and swam back to the opposite bank；
nor did I see or hear anything more of the night marauders。
Five or six times on the plains or on my ranch I have had shots at
wolves； always obtained by accident and always； I regret to say；
missed。 Often the wolf when seen was running at full speed for cover；
or else was so far off that though motionless my shots went wide of
it。 But once have I with my own rifle killed a wolf； and this was
while travelling with a pack train in the m