The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-09-08

Sd lnht the hunters CHNtu ScITSelN uiSlHiElllSh
one another. The rising moon indeed gave
its friendly light, but, like the moon in those
ATTITUDES, its oblique position did not allow
its beams to penetrate the thick darkness of
the forest. 1t was easy, however, to see
whit was passing on the ground, because
the moon reflected every object in the pure
snow. and thus marked il out distinctly.
The last light OF day scarcely Disappeared
when wolf set up his frightful resoundng
howl on the top Of the hill. Those who
have only seen this animal III u mcnarcrie
can form no idea of the horrid music which
Il herd Of fifty or sixty such monsters make
when they traverse the woods for prov. The
howl Of a wolf much resembles the veil Of ii
large dog, but it is stronger, more vehement.
and sounds most terrible when the beast Is
onraged. As the wolf trcals heavily with
his fore feet, the hind ones trail after softly,
giving rise to the erroneous supposition that
he is lame. This heavy step makes his lungs
trembc, thus making his howl sound almost
Ike "a roaring bark. When he in hungry he
lickS himself angrily with his tongue, and
throws his he I'd back To scent his prey from
afar. This also gives varied expression to
the tones produced, When The oldest wolf
begins, tho next In age gradually collect
around him. thus Strengthening the choruq as
il continues. The bowling lasts till a suih
Gent number are collected to begin the
chase, when they - TO work with n consider
alton for which one would not have given
them credit. One division keeps in the back
ground, in silence, while the rest march in Il
broad line through the wood, rouse the game,
drive the frightened animals with great
swlftness before them to the ambush who're
their companions Turk. In this way they
often succeed in catchin. three or four hare,
on track. But this is not their only mode
Of obtaining prey. The wolf Will surprise
his game with all the cunning and clever
ness of the cat, and scarcely ever loses the
victim he has tracked, ii his own scent does
not betray him.
Our hunting cxiles, however, had no time
for these observations IN natural history. 4
black mass soon moved onward towards one
of the lures. StronganOw aimed, the rifle
cracked, and with IA loud yell large wolf
fell dying on the ground. \ wild howl fol-
lowed from the next Of the savage mack
which was soon stiicd: but, horrible SIGHT I
scarcely had the dead ceased to move, than Il
whole herd of his companions rushed forth
from all sides, fell upon their bats and upon
their fallen comrade, for whose flesh the hun
CRY beasts fought. Four shots poured into
this mass, and four wolves rolled on the
ground; while the rest, with frightful howl
ing, vanished into the woods, with u speed
that was marvellous.
The fortunate hunters reloaded quickly.
to greet any new comcrs with fresh yolIcy
But they were mistaken; the wolves. more
terrified by the fire than by the death -
their companions, came back no more.
An hour passed. long time TO people in
conveniently seated among the branches of
/ In, ha,, he, Ia, a
no sound was heard. Stroganow, therefore.
resolved to descend and call his companions,
when suddenly he heard the snow rustic in
the brushwood behind his tree. and distin-
guished the heavy tread OF an animal. Hast
iiy looking round, he saw Il maSSy black obs
icct, winding with difficulty through the un-
derwood. lie took it for wolf. prepared
his rifle, and when he thought himself sure
Of his aim, he fred In his haste, he eth ct
missed or slightly wounded the animal. -
What he supposed, too, To be wolf. proved
to he a large bear, which, growing fright
fully immediately reared himself against the
tree, and with the agility Of his race BEGAN
10 ascend. Stroganow instantly called for
help. In his first alarm he had dropped his
lance and axe, together with his now useless
rifle. and only his knife was left for his de-
fence. But the younc and courageous o.hcer
did not lose resolution aud hope. lie took
the knife between his teeth, climbed IN high
or, and sung himself forward on n strong
bouch TO protect himself against the bear till
he should Get help from his friends. nfor-
tunatcly, he did not con slider that he was
thus placing himself out Of sight of his com
panions, as the thick under branches would
hide him from them, while IN the darkness
they would he unable to take aim, lest they
should hit him instead Of the bear.
However, there was no time for rejection
If Stronganow had climbed up quickly. the
bear was quite a match for him IN that feat
of gymnastics. Stronganow had no sooner
seated himself on the selected branch, than
I'll bears shaggy head appeared. his small
eyes glowing like two carbuncles in the dark
On seeing Stronganow near him, he gave n
violent swing. reached the bough, aud march
cd boldly towards him.
'What is the matter?" was now asked
from below. II was Romanow's voice
"a bcari Oh, help He is already al
most-n' replied the distressed man, in
deep anguish.
"Wherc? We cannot sec him. said Co
lowin's voice, IFS trembling betraying the ny
itation of his friend.
''fIcre, on the hranch.''
4 s1ot sounded another i~--stilI anoth-
or Splnters of wood flew about like glass
from the bonghs, but the bear was not the
least in urcd, and in vain those below Expect
cd a happy token from above.
Soon Il fearful scene was displayed. The
bear advanced cautiously on towards Strong
anow, who had no choice but to Withdraw
backwards, the knife in his hand, his eve
fixed on his formidable opponent, sliding
along the bough to its thinner extremity as
far as possible, there to await the animal.
The bear held on by his fore paws, and had
the great advantage OF being on the thicker
and less pliable end. while Synonymous sit