THE IRISH WOLF DOG.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 260, 26 April 1878, Page 17

THE IRISH WOLF DOG.

Diirjug the seventeenth century the wolves were very numerous in Ireland Jn the mountains of Tyrone the inhabitants suffered much from them, and gave from the public funds as much for the head of a wolf as they would in af tertimes for tbe capture of a notorious robber ol the highway. At that time there lived a notorious adventurer, I lory Currab, who made it his business to destroy these ravagcrs. He attacked them in the night ; midnight was the best time, as they left their layers in search of food, all round being still, and then the carnage commenced. He, like others, was aided in so doing by the celebrated Irish wolf dog, having An eye of sloe, with ear not low, "With horse's breast and depth of cheat, With breath of loin imd curve of groin, And nape set far behind the head. Such were the dogs that Fingal bred, and such was the dog thus employed. It is said to have resembled a rough, stout, half-bred greyhound, but was much stronger. In the county Tyrone there was at that time a large space of ground enclosed by a high stone wall, having a gasj at the two opposite ends, and in this enclosure were the nocks of the neighbouring farmers considered secure. It was, however, entered by the wolves, and its inmates slaughtered. The fanners having heard of Rory Currah, the wolf {hunter, sent for him, offering to increase the usual reward if he would destroy the two remaining wol ves that com mitted such devastation . Currab. undertook the task, taking with him two wolf dogs and a boy only twelve years old (the only companion he could obtain), and us midnight was approaching they repaired to the fold. " Now," said the hunter to the boy, •• as the two wolves usually enter the en-i-loanre from opposite sides at once. I must leave you and one of the 'logs to guard this entrance while Igo to the other. He steals in with all fche caution of a cat : nor will you hear him, but the dog will, and positively give him the first full. If. therefore, you are not active when he is down, and rivet his neck to the ground with this spear, he will ri^ up and kill both you and the dog. So be careful, and now good night." ' " I'll do what I can," said the boy, as he took the spear from Cumin's hand. Immediately he threw open the gate of the fold, and took his seat on the inner side near the entrance, his faithful dog crouched close to bis side, and seeming conscious of the dangerous business iv which he was engaged. The night was very dark and cold, and the poor boy, being benumbed by the chilly air, was beginning to sleep, when the dog in an instant, with a roar leaped across him, and laid his mortal enemy who had just arrived on the earth. Boused to the utmost by the voice of the faithful dog, the boy drove the spear through the wolf's neck, by which time Currah was standing by his side, holding in his hand the head of the other wolf. Ihe death of the last wolf cannot be precisely determined. There was, however, a presentment for killing wolves granted in Cork in the year 1710, and it is asserted by many persons of veracity that a wolf was killed in the Wicklow mountains as recently as 1770. Exchange.