ot. It was in this manner we
travelled, till such a time as we discovered another wood, and had the
prospect of its entrance through which were to pass, at the farthest
side of the plain. But surely none can express the terror we were in,
when approaching the lane, we perceived a confused number of the
fiercest wolves, standing, as it were guarding its entrance. Nor were we
long in this amazement, before another occasion of horror presented
itself; for suddenly we heard the report of a gun at another opening in
the wood and, looking that way, out ran a horse bridled and saddled,
flying with the greatest swiftness, and no less than sixteen or
seventeen wolves pursuing after him, in order to devour the poor
creature; and unquestionably they did so, after they had run him down,
not being able to hold out that swiftness with which he at first
escaped them.

When we rode up to that entrance from whence the horse came forth, there
lay the carcases of another horse & two men, mangled and torn by these
devouring wolves; and undoubtedly one of these men was the person who
fired the gun which we had heard, for the piece lay by him; but alas!
most of the upper part of his body and his head were entombed in the
bowels of these ravenous creatures.

What course to take, whether to proceed or retreat, we could not tell;
but it was not long before the wolves themselves made us to come to a
resolution; for such numbers surrounded us, every one of whom expected
their prey, that were our bodies to be divided among them, there would
not be half a mouthful a-piece. But happy, very happy it was for us,
that but a little way from the entrance, there lay some very large
timber trees, which I supposed had been cut down and laid there for
sale: amongst which I drew my little troop, placing ourselves in a line
behind one long tree, which served us for a breast work, when desiring
them to alight, we stood in a triangle, or three fronts, closing our
bodies in the centre, the only place where we could preserve them.

Never certainly was there a more furious charge than what the wolves
made upon us in this place: and the sight of the horses, which was the
principal prey they aimed at, provoked their hunger, and added to their
natural fierceness. They came on us with a most dreadful noise, that
made the woods ring again: and beginning to mount the pieces of timber,
I ordered every man to fire, as before directed: and, indeed, so well
did they take