The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-04-21

should he lose command of them, or
should the harness slip, or the troika
overset, it is all over. Next day, two
days, or eight days after, the debris of
the vehicle is discovered, with the guns,
the carcasses of the horses, and the large
bones of the hunters and Of the driver.
Last winter Prince P undertook
one of these hunts, and it nearly proved
his last. He was, along with two friends,
at one of his estates, which borders on a
wilderness, and they resolved to have a
chase OF the wolves, or rather, it may be
said, to be chased by them. A large
sledge was got ready, in which three per-
sons could move at ease three strong
horses were yoked to it, and it was in
trusted to a driver of great experience
a native of the district. Each hunter
had pair of double -barreled guns and
FIVE hundred ball-cartridges, and their
places were SO taken that the prince look
ed to the back, and his friends each to a
side OF the sledge.
AT night they arrived at the ground
an immense desert covered with snow.
The full moon shone brightly, and its
rays, refracted by the white surface,
spread light like that of day. The hog
was attached, and the train started
Finding itself drawn on in spite of
its efforts, it raised cry, whereupon
some wolves appeared ; not many at first,
timid also, and keeping at great dis
tance. Gradually their numbers increas-
ed, and they approached the hunters, who
commenced by giving their troika an or
dinary motion, Notwithstanding the trem-
bling impotence of the horses. About
twenty wolves came up, when the party
found themselves near enough to begin
the massacre. Off went a shot, and a
wolf fell the whole band appeared to
get alarmed, and diminished in number
by about half. In fact, contrary to the
general belief that wolves do not feed on
one another, seven or eight starving ones
had stopped behind to devour their dead
companion but the vacancy was soon
supplied. On all sides bowling replied
to bowling, and all round were seen
pointed noses and eyes sparkling like car
buncles. The animals were within gun
shot, and the hunters made a running
fire but, though every shot took effect,
the band, so far from being diminished,
rather got larger. 1t soon ceased to be
band, and became troop, the close
ranks of which pressed on the hunters.
Their course was SO rapid that they SEEM
ed to fly on the snow. and SO lightly as
not to make the smallest noise. Like a
flowing tide they approached unceasing-
ly, and did not retreat before the fire of
the three hunters, we'll kept up as it was.
They formed an immense crescent at the
back of the troika, the two horns of
which began to get in advance of the
horses, and the number increased so rap
idly that it actually seemed as if they
sprung out Of the ground. There was
something fantastic in their appearance,
and it became quite impossible to count
the numbers now showing themselves in
a desert where it was in general difficult
to see more than two or three in a day
The hog had ceased TO cry, and had been
taken again into the sledge, where its
cries recommending, redoubled the bold
ness of the wolves. The firing did no,
cease, and half the ammunition was now
Expended. There remained, perhaps
about two hundred balls. The two horns
Of the crescent got higher and higher
and threatened the formation Of a circle
inclosing sledge, horses and hunters.
Should any one of the horses fall, al
would be over and, already terrified
they seemed to breathe fire, and prancel
most furiously and wildly.
What think you of this, Ivan 2
said the prince to his driver.
"Why, I don't much like it, prince.
Are you afraid of anything p
The wolves have tasted blood. ant
the longer you keep firing, the more vii
their number increase"
"What do you advise ?"
"If you will allow it. prince. shall
slacken the bride of my horses"
/" Are you sure of them ?"
shall answer for them"
And will You answer for us too %
: Ivan made no reply. it being eyiden
that he did not wish to commit himself
. He slackened the bride, directing at tn
same time the heads of the horses to
wards the princes chateau ; and the no
BILE animals. feeling themselves as If loos