uld only watch in awe。
狼圖騰（英文版） 2（3）
The gazelles they were observing now may have prised no more than a medium… sized herd； but Chen was sure it was too big for a pack of wolves numbering in the dozens。 People had told him there is no ani—mal more determined than a wolf； and he was eager to see not only how great the wolves’ appetite and determination might be but also what kind of hunters they were。
For the wolves； this was too great an opportunity to miss。 Their movements were slight and slow。 When the male gazelles looked up； the wolves flattened out and did not move； even the steam in their breath was light and gentle。
The herd continued its desperate grazing； and the human observers settled in to see what was going to happen。
“Gazelles are a scourge on the grassland；” the old man whispered。 “They run like the wind and eat all the time。 Just look how much good forage they’ve already gone through。 The brigade has done everything it can to keep this pastureland in good shape； but the gazelles will have destroyed nearly half of it in days。 A few more herds like this； and the grass will be gone。 The snows have been heavy this year； and a blizzard is always a possibility。 Without this pastureland in reserve； we’d prob—ably not survive—neither us nor our animals。 Luckily； there’s the wolf pack。 Within days this herd will be driven off； those that aren’t killed； that is。”
Surprised by this ment； Chen looked at the old man and said； “No wonder you don’t hunt wolves。”
“Oh； I hunt them；” the old man replied。 “But not often。 If we killed them off； the grassland would perish； and then how would we survive？ This is something you Chinese cannot understand。”
“It’s starting to make sense to me；” Chen said。 He was getting exc