larger. The latter, or larger species, are found of various, colors,
but more frequently grey. The color, however, varies with the season
and often from other causes. Many of their habits are strikingly
similar to those of the domestic dog, with the simple difference
that the wolf is unreclaimed from his wild state. The connecting link
between the prairie wolf and the domestic dog is the cur found among
the Indians. The Indian cur, by a casual observer, could be easily
mistaken for a prairie wolf. Near the Rocky Mountains, and in them,
these animals are found of immense size; but, being cowardly, they are
not dangerous. The first night a person sleeps on a prairie is ever
afterwards vividly impressed upon his memory. The serenade of the
wolves with which he is honored, is apt to be distinctly remembered.
It is far from agreeable, and seldom fails to awaken unpleasant
forebodings concerning the future; and, the idea that these fellows
may be soon clearing his bones, is not very genial to the fancy. To
the wolf the graveyard is anything but consecrated ground; and, if a
person is very chary of his cadaver, he had better not leave it on the
Western Plains. The wolf is quite choice in his viands whenever the
opportunity offers, and will, at any time, leave the carcass of an
Indian for that of a white man. Old frontiersmen, speaking of the
wolves, usually style them as "their dogs;" and, after a night when
these animals have kept up an incessant barking, they will express
wonder by asking what has been disturbing "their hounds." The flesh of
the mountain wolf, when cooked, has something of the smell and taste
of mutton, but it is very rank.]

In order to frighten the wolves, the teamsters would occasionally
shoot them. One of the members of the expedition was obliged to take
a fresh rifle from a wagon. In taking the gun out, the hammer of the
lock caught against some projecting object, which caused it to be