Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-08-01

M
with powder and shot, put up some ran
cid fat and ,putrid flesh as bait. for the
wolves, and set out on hunt in rocky
valley, pretty free from wood, through &
few. large trees were scattered about
This valley was situated. about three
miles from their hut and when they
reached it, they saw numbers of both
wolves and bears. In the thicket lay g
multitude Of hare and elk bones most oi
which were picked clean !; many, too, be.
i ing half eaten, a proof that the beasts by
no means found plentiful provender.
By Stroganow's advice his comrades
fixed posts deep in the frozen snow, and
having covered their tops with snow,
place the bats thereon, and seated them
selves in couples, on the trees. from
whence they could shoot their deadly
balls. These preparations took up the
rest of thefday, and Stroganow, to whom
the direction of.theproceedings was chief
ly entrusted, stationed himself among the
branches of dark pine, about twelve feet
above the spot where the bait was placed.
The sun set, and darkness soon sues
ceeded, so that the hunters could scarce
ly distinguish one another. The rising
moon indeed gave its friendly light. but
like the sun in those latitudes, its oblique
position did not allow its beams to pene>
trate the thick darkness of the forest. 1t
was easy however, to see what was pass
sing on the ground because the moon res
Eaected every object in the pure snow, and
thus marked it out distinctly.
The last light of day had scarcely dis
appeared, when wolf set up his fright
full resounding howl on the top of the hill.
Those who only have seen this animal in
a menagerie, can form no idea of the hor-
rid music which a herd of fifty or sixty
of such monsters make when they ira
verse The woods for prey. The howl of
the wolf much resembles the veil Of a
large dog but is stronger, more vehement
and sounds most terrible when the beast
is enraged. AS the wolf treads heavily
with his fore feet, the hind ones trail af>
ter softly, giving rise to the erroneous sup
position that he is lame. This heavy
step makes his lungs tremble, thus ma
king his howl sound almost like a roaring
bark. When he is hungry, he licks him>
self angrily with his tongue, and throws
his head back TO scent his prey from afar.
This also gives varied expression TO
the tones produced. When the eldest wolf
begins, the next in age gradually col>
lect around him, thus strengthening the
chorus as it continues. The bowling lasts
till sufficient number are assembled to
begin the chase. when they go to work
with consideration for which one would
not have given them credit. One divi-
sion keeps the background, in silence,
while the rest march in a broad line
through the wood, rouse the game, drive
the frightened animals with great swift
ness before them to the ambush where their
companions lurk In this way they often
succeed in catching two or three hares
on track. But this is not their only
mode of obtaining prey. The wolf will
surprise the game with all the cunning
cleverness of a cat and scarcely ever loose
the victim he has tracked, if his own
scent does not betray him.
Our hunting exiles, however, had no
time for these observations on natural his
tory. A black mass soon moved onward
towards one of the lures. Stroganow
aimed, the rifle sounded, and with loud
yell, large wolf fell dying on the ground.
A wild howl followed from the resC of the
savage pack, which was soon stiflcd but,
horrible sight!-scarcely had the dead ceas-
ed 10 move, than the whole herd of his
companions rushed forth from all sides,
fell upon the bats and on their fallen COM
rade, for whose flesh the hungry beasts
fought. -Four shots were poured into this
mass, and four wolves rolled on the ground; :;
while the rest with frightful howling, van
ished into the woods with speed that
was most marvellous.
The fortunate hunters RELOADED quick
ly, to greet any new comers with fresh
volIey. But they were mistaken the
wolves more terrified by the fire than by
the death of companions, came back no
more. An hour passed-a long time to
people inconveniently seated among the
branches Of trees. In vain, however, the
exiIes waited no sound was heard
Stroganow, therefore resolved to descend
and call his companions, when suddenly
he heard the snow rustic in the brush
wood behind his tree, and distinguished
the heavy tread Of an animal. Hastily
looking around, he saw massy black
object winding with difficulty through
the underwood. He took it for wolf.
prepared his rifle, and when he thought
himself sure Of his aim fred. In his haste
he missed or slightly wounded the ami
NAL. What he supposed to be wolf,
proved to be a huge bear. which growl-
ing frightfully Immediately reared him>
self against tree, and with the agility oI
his race, began to ascend. Stroganow in
stantly called for help. In his first alarm
he had dropped his lance and axe, togeth-
er with his now useless rife, and only his
knife was left for his defence. But the
young and courageous officer did not lose
resolution and hope. He took his knife
between his teeth, climbed up higher, and
slung himself forward on a strong bow.
~ proEaot b;DosaIF ,r,o;rot tho haor t;II he