se animals hunt in packs, and
there are few sounds more startling to the unaccustomed ear, than a
chorus of their cries. "We hardly know," says Captain Beechey, "a sound
which partakes less of harmony than that which is at present in
question; and, indeed, the sudden burst of the answering long protracted
scream, succeeding immediately to the opening note, is scarcely less
impressive than the roll of the thunder clap immediately after a flash
of lightning. The effect of this music is very much increased when the
first note is heard in the distance, a circumstance which often occurs,
and the answering yell bursts out from several points at once, within a
few yards or feet of the place where the auditors are sleeping."

Poultry and the smaller animals, together with dead bodies, are the
ordinary food of jackals, but when rendered bold by hanger, they will
occasionally attack the larger quadrupeds and even man.

A bold, undaunted presence and defiant aspect, generally proves the best
protection when an unarmed man is threatened by these or other animals,
but artifice is sometimes necessary. A ludicrous instance is related by
an old quartermaster (whom we knew some years ago), in a small volume of
memoirs. At Christmas, 1826, he was sent up the country to a mission,
about thirty-two miles from San Francisco. He and the others erected a
tent; after which they all lay down on the ground. "I slept like a top,"
says he, "till four the next morning, at which time I was awakened by
the man whose duty it was to officiate as cook for the day, who told me
if I would go up the village and get a light, he would have a good
breakfast ready for the lads by the time they awoke. I must describe my
dress, for that very dress saved my life. Over the rest of my clothing,
as a seaman, I had a huge frock made from the skin of a reindeer. It was
long enough, when let down, to cover my feet well, and turned up at
foot, buttoning all round the skirt. At the top was a hood, made from
the skin, taken off the head of a bear, ears and all. In front was a
square lappel, which, in the day, hung loosely over the breast, but at
night, buttoned just behind the ears, leaving only the mouth, nose, and
eyes free for respiration, so that one, with such a dress, might lie
down any where and sleep, warm and comfortable. Mr. S---- had given
eight dollars for it in Kamtschatka, and, on our return to more genial
climes, forgot the future, and gave it to me. Fancy,