Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-11
A RUSSIAN WOLF HUNT.


We translate the following story from late
number of NJ. Alex. Dumas newspaper. IL
| is an extract from one of his letters from at
Petersburg
"Wolf hunting and bear hunting are the
favorite pleasures of the Russians. Wolves
are hunted in this way in the winter, when the
wolves being hungry are ferocious. Three or
four huntsmen, each armed with double
relied gun, get into troika, which is any
sort of a carriage drawn by three horses--its
name being derived from its team, and not
from its form. The middle horse trots always;
the left hand and right hand horses must al
ways gallop. The middle horse trots with his
head hanging down, and he is called the Snow
Eater. The two others have only one rein,
and they are fastened to the poles by the mid
die of the body, and gallop their heads free
they called the Furious. The troika is
driven by sure coachman, if there is such
thing sure coachman- a pig is tied TO
the rear of the vehicle by rope, or chain
(tor greater security some twelve yards long.
The pig is kept in the vehicle until the hunts
men reach the forest where the hunt is to take
place, when he is taken out and the horses
started. The pig, not being accustomed TO
this gait, squeals, and his squeals soon degen-
crate into lamentations. His cries bring out
one wolf who gives the pig chase; then two
wolves, then three then ten then fifty wolves
all posting as hard as they can go after the
poor pig, fighting among themselves for the
best places, swapping and striking at the
poor pig at every opportunity, who squealS
with despair. These squeals of agony arouse
all the wolves in the forest, within circuit
of three miles, and the troika is followed by
an immense flock of wolves. 1t is now
good driver is Indispensable. The horses
have an instructive horror of wolves, and go
almost crazy; they run as fast they can go.
The huutsmen fire as fast as they can load;
there is no necessity TO take any aim. The
pig squeals-the horses neigh-the wolves
howl-the guns rattle; it is a concert to make
Mephistopheles jealous. AS long the dri-
yer commands his horses, fast as they may be
running away, there is no danger. But, if he
ceases to be master of them; if they balk. if
the troika is upset, there is no hope. The
next day or the day after, or aweek afterwards,
nothing will remain of the party but the
wreck of the troika, the barrels of the guns;
and the larger bones of the horses, hun.smen
and driver.
Last winter Prince Repnine went on one of
these hunts, and it came very near being his
last hunt. He was on visit with two of his
friends to one of his estates near the steppe,
and they determined to go on wolf hunt
They prepared large sleigh in which three
persons could move at ease, three vigorous
horses were put into it, and they selected for
driver man born in the country and thor
oughly experienced in the sport. Every
huntsman had pair of double barrel guns
and one hundred and fifty ball cartridges 1t
was night when they reached the steppe; that
is, immense prairie covered with snow.
The moon was full, and shown brilliantly; its
beams refracted by the snow gave a light
scarcely inferior to daylight.
The pig was put out OF the sleigh, and the
horses whipped up. AS soon the pig felt
that he was dragged he began to squeal.
wolf two appeared, but they were timid
and kept long ways off. Their numbers
gradually increased, and as their numbers aug
mented they became bolder. There were
about twenty wolves when they came within
gun range of the troika. One of the party
fred wolf fell. The flock became alarm
ed and half fed away. SeYen or eight hungry
wolves remained behind to devour their dead
companion. The gaps were soon filed. On
every side howlsI answered howls; on every
side sharp noses and brilliant eyes were seen
peering. The guns ratified volley after yolley;
but the flock OF wolves increased instead of
diminishing, and soon il not flock, but
a vast herd of wolves in thick serried columns,
which gave chase TO the sleigh.
The wolves bounded forward so rapidly
they seemed to fly over the snow, and so light
" not sound was heard; their numbers con-
tinued TO increase and increase, and increase
they seemed to be a silent tide drawing near
er and nearer, and which the guns Of the
party, rapidly as they were discharged, had |
no effect on. The wolves formed vast cres- |
cent, whose horns began to encompass the
horses. The numbers increased so rapidly |
they seemed to spring out of the ground. |
There was something weird in their appear
ance, for where could three thousand wolves |
come from in such desert of snow. The
party had taken the pig into the sleigh; his
squeals increased the wolves boldness. The |
party continued to fire but they had now used |
about half their ammunition and but two hun !
dred cartridges left, while they were surroun-
ded by three thousand wolves. The two horns |
of the crescent became nearer and nearer, and |
threatened to envelope the party.
If one of the horses should have given out |
the fate of the whole party was sealed. "What |
do yon think of this Ivan 2'' said Prince Rep |
nine, speaking to the driver. ssI had rather |
be at home Prince.' care you afraid of any |
ted blood, and the more you fire the more |
wolves you'll have.'' ssWhat do you think is |
the best thing to be done." ssMake the horses |
go faster.'' care you sure of the horses ?'' /
s.Yes, Prince" ssAre you sure of our safe |
ty." The driver made no reply. He quick |
ened the horses, and turned their heads to- |
wards home. The horses few faster than ev-
er. The driver excited them to increased |
speed by sharp whistle, and made them de |
scribe curve which intersected one of the /
horns of the crescent. The wolves opened /
their ranks and let the horses pass.
The Prince raised his gun to his shoulder
'FFor Gods sake don't fire 20 exclaimed the
driver, sswe are dead men If you do - he
obeyed Ivan. The wolves astonished by this
unexpected act, remained motionlesS for a
minute. During this minute the troika was
verst from them. When the wolves started
again after, it was too late, they could not O.
vertake it. A quarter OF an hour alterward
they were in sight OF nome frihce hepnlhe
thinks his horses ran at least six miles in these
fifteen minutes. He rode over the steppe the
next day, and found the bones of more than
two hundred wolves.