coolly. "When the rest of your horses are all winded, Mark'll be fresh as a daisy." "That's so! That's a fact. Didn't think of that," the rest replied. Soon, Rance, too, turned up, riding Ladrone, and in a few minutes they were all mounted. "Now we must be off," said Rance. "Keep behind me, don't race, and don't make too much noise. We strike for the big popple grove. All readyinto line. March." He wheeled his horse and rode away at an easy gallop, followed by his laughing, jostling troop, along the road between fields, leading to the north. The day promised to be bright; the snow was just right; deep enough to aid in detecting the wolves, and not so deep as to interfere with the speed of the horses. It was about ten o'clock when Rance pulled up on the edge of the range. "Now, then, Lincoln, you take Milt and Cy, and strike into that patch of hazel bush to the right, and remember, if you start a wolf, don't try to run him down, unless you're close on him. He'll run in a circle—and while you're after him, fire a shot to let us know, and we'll cut across lots. When we strike his trail, you pull right off, and cut across behind us. If he turns to the right or left, let us know." It was exhilarating to breathe the keen prairie air, to feel under one's thigh the powerful swing of muscles firm as iron, to know that at any moment a wolf might start up from the bush. The horses caught the excitement, champed their bits impatiently, and spurned the glittering snow high into the air. Soon a shot was heard, and wild yells from the right division. A moment later, out from behind a popple grove leaped a wolf, followed by a squad of horsemen. Instantly all the captain's commands were forgotten. Everybody joined pursuit, whooping, laughing, firing, without an idea of order. The wolf was surprised, but seemed to grasp the situation. In less than ten seconds the whole troop were in a huddle and riding fast, except Rance, who was now on the extreme left, cutting diagonally across. He fired his gun to interrupt his mob of excited hunters, and rode right into their front. "Halt! Hold on there!" He waited until they all came back around him. “Now, what way of doing business is that? How many wolves are you going to kill by winding every horse in the crowd the first jump? You'll kill more horses than wolves. Listen to me: We don't want more than three horses after the wolf at the same time. The others must cut him off. Don't be in a hurry—wait and see where he's heading." The boys were silent. They started the game. Now, the wolf is in that "Milt and Lincoln were all right. But the rest of you were all wrong. big tow-head there. Cy, you go to the right, Milt, you go to the left, I'll take the center, and we'll see if we can go at this man-fashion." In a few minutes they had partially encircled the grove and were moving down on it. Again the wolf broke cover, and started to the left. He was not aware of Milton and Lincoln, because they were hidden by a bunch of aspens, and Lincoln gave a wild whoop as the yellow-brown grizzled creature darted around the grove, almost under his feet, and entered the brush before the boy could collect himself. Cassius leading, the party of four rushed into the brown hazel patch, a rushing, snorting squadron. The brush impeded and bewildered the wolf and he doubled on his track, bursting out on the prairie again, at an oblique angle to the course of the other horsemen. The chase became magnificent. The wolf seemed to float along the ground, his long tail waving, his ears alert. Rance was riding like mad, to intercept him, and the wolf did not seem to understand,-but he did: just as Ladrone seemed upon him, he disappeared. Rance reined sharply to the left, and waved his hat to Lincoln, who comprehended the situation. The wolf had entered a deep ravine, which ran to the southeast, and was doubling again, seeking his den. "He's going back!" shouted Milton, letting Mark out for the first time. The grand brute, snorting with delight, slid over the ground, light as the wolf himself. The rider sat him as if he were standing still, but exulting to feel the vast power and pride of his horse. The "See that horse run!" shouted Lincoln in delight. majestic colt swept down upon the wolf, as if all eyes were upon him, and his honor at stake. Milton could see the head of the wolf. It seemed as though Mark must run him down, so certainly equal were the distances, but Mark thundered down the slope and into the swale a few rods in advance. The wolf whipped out behind,-Milton fired twice,—but the fugitive kept on. He reined Mark sharply to the right, with unabated speed, and rode back up the slope, waving his hat to show the way that the wolf had gone. But the others had seen the change in course, and were driving down on the wily fugitive in a body. Ed Blackler was in the lead, his gun ready, guiding his horse by the pressure of his knees. He was upon him with a rush, and fired. The wolf leaped into the air, rose, avoided the rush of the black, and started into the brush. Now was Lincoln's opportunity, and striking Cassius with the flat of his hand, he swept upon the wolf like a whirlwind. The wounded beast fell under the feet of the wild-eyed Cassius, who would have trampled fire in his excitement. When Milton rode up to the circle of panting horses and excited boys, Lincoln was handing the tail to Ed Blackler, and Rance was saying: "The ears are yours, Link. That crazy horse of yours did the business." The boys were delighted with the result. Everybody praised the superb run made by Mark, the good shooting done by Ed Blackler, and the mad courage of Cassius, who bore the marks of the wolf's teeth on his legs. HAMLIN GARLAND. stam'i-na, vigor; endurance. ir'ri-ta"ted, annoyed. im-pe'ded, hindered. can'ter-ed, galloped slowly. ex-hil'a-ra"ting, producing joy and liveliness. im-paʼtient-ly, uneasily; fretfully. 66 par'tial-ly, in part; not complete. swale, wet lowland or swamp. fu'gi-tive, one who flees from pur- HAMLIN GARLAND was born in Wisconsin, but spent his childhood in Iowa. As a boy he worked on a farm when he was not going to school. Most of his stories and novels are about western people and western places. 'Boy Life on the Prairies"-from which "A Wolf Hunt" is taken—is a book that boys like. "Main Traveled Roads" is a collection of some of Mr. Garland's best short stories. "The Eagle's Heart" and "Prairie Folks" are the titles of two more of his popular books. The above selection is taken from the first-named book, by permission of the Macmillan Company. 1. Now, what way of doing business is that? 2. Now, then, Lincoln, you take Milt and Cy. 3. Rance, too, turned up, riding Ladrone. 4. Nevertheless, he distinguished at his feet a man of poor appearance. 5. After all, however, his fish were great curiosities. 6. Fishing, to be sure, is not easy. Read these sentences, omitting now, then, too, nevertheless, however, and to be sure. These terms are said to be used independently. How should words and phrases used independently be separated from the rest of the sentence? Write about an outing that you have had: 1. A day at the sea-shore. 2. A day in the city. 3. Gathering nuts. 4. A picnic. 5. Visiting a famous place. 6. A day in the country. 7. Playing in the park. 8. Gathering berries. 10. Spending a holiday. |