The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South AmericaKingston, William Henry Giles
History
The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South America
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Natural history -- North America; Natural history -- South America
Let us watch from an ambush the manoeuvres of a pack of savage cayotes--
the name given to one species of wolf--while hunting their prey. Our
ears are first assailed by a few shrill, currish barks at intervals,
like the outpost firing of skirmishing parties. These are answered by
similar barks from the opposite direction, till the sounds gradually
approximate on the junction of the different bands. The horses,
sensible of the approach of danger, begin to paw the ground, snort, toss
up their heads, look wildly about them, and exhibit other symptoms of
fear. We prepare our guns ready for action. Three or four stallions
take the lead, and wait, with comparative composure, for the approach of
the enemy. The allies at length enter the field in a semicircular form,
with their flanks extended, for the evident purpose of surrounding their
prey.
They are between three and four hundred strong. The horses, from
experience, know well their object, and, dreading an encounter with so
numerous a force, instantly turn round and gallop off in a contrary
direction. Their flight is the signal for the wolves to advance. The
brutes, uttering a simultaneous yell, charge after the fugitives, still
preserving their crescent form. Two or three horses, much out of
condition, are quickly overtaken, when they commence kicking at the
advance-guard of the enemy; but though several of the wolves receive
severe blows, they will, it is evident--being reinforced by others--
quickly despatch the unfortunate horses.
It is time for us to emerge from our concealment and fire a volley at
the enemy's centre, by which several are brought down. The whole
battalion of cowards instantly wheel about, and fly towards the hills in
the utmost disorder; while the horses, hearing the sound, come galloping
up to us for protection, and by their neighing express their joy and
gratitude at our timely interference.
LYNXES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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