The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-05-04
A RUSSIAN WOLF HUNT.


A distinguished French writer, who has
recently visited Russia, gives the following
graphic description Of a wolf hant--a sport
necessary in that country, to keep down an
animal dangerous. from its numbers, to hu-
man life.
At an advanced period Of winter, when the
wolves become ferocious for want Of fnod,
three or four hunters, each possessed oi a
light double -barreled gun, take their places
in what is called troika--a species of drosky
-drawn by three horses, from which, and
not from its shape, it gets its name. The
horse in the middle is trained to run in a trot.
and the other two ION the right and lett) new
er quit the gaIlop. The former trots with
his head low, and is called the Snow eater
the other two prance with their heads loose,
and are named the Furies. The whole equip
ment, thus directed in its course, presents
the appearance Of a fan. driver who can
be relied on conducts the troika.
To the back Of the carriage a young hog
is attached by a cord, or for more security,
by chain, between three and four feet in
length. 1t is quietly taken in the vehicle to
the entrance of the forest where the chase is
to proceed there it is put on the ground, and
the driver incites the horses, which start of
at trot and gallop respectively, as we have
mentioned; while the hog, little used to such
an amusement, raises a cry which soon de-
generates into what may be called lament.
alton. At this mise the nearest wolf shows
ITS nose, and sets itself to pursue the hog,
soon followed by twa. then by three, and ul-
timately. il may be. BY 6lty Of the brethren.
They all make claia fpr the poor hog. and
fight among themselves to get at it some Of
them stretching ont to il blow Of their
claws; and Others endeavoring TO bite it.
The lamentations Of the poor animal pass into
cries &c despair, which arouse the wolves in
the deepest recesses Of the forest; they pre-
seatly cnngregate from three leagues rouHd,
aad the troika is pursued by whole troop
Of :hem.
Then it is that the urgent need Of good
driver is apparent. The horses, which have
an instructive horror for the wolves, become
( intractabe; the tro,ter in the middle tries TO
gallop, aud the gallopers to get the bit be.
I tween thpir teeth. During all this time the
hunters fire at random. there being no need
to take aim. The hog cries, the horses neigh,
tie wolves howl and the guns FIRE, producing
a hideous eoncert among them. The equip.
age. the hunters. the hog, the troop Of wolves,
are involved in a whirlwind winch scatters
the snow all around, and looks like cloud
in a storm darting thunder and lightning.
| Ii the driver is master Of his horses, wild
AZ they may be, all goes well but should
hp lose command of them, or should the hars
ness slip. or the troika be oyerset. il i all
over. Next dav, two days. or eight days
alter, the debris Of the vehicle is discovered,
With the guns. the carcasses OF the horses.
aud the large bones Of the hunters and oi
the driver.
/ Last winter Prince R undertook one
If these hunts, and il had nearly proved his
last. He was, along with his friends, at one
Of his estates, which borders at wilderness.
and they resolved to have a chase Of the
wolves, or rather, il NAV be said, to be chased
by them. large sleigh was got ready, in
WHICH three persons could move at ease ;
three strong horses were ynked TO II, and IL
was inttn.teI 10 driver of great expert.
rnce--a native % the district. Each hunter
had pair Of double -barrelled guns and i've
hundred ball cartridges, and their places
were so taken that the prince looked to the
back, and his friends each to the SIDE Of the
sleigh.
AT night they arrived at the ground--an
immense desert covered with snow. The
full moon shown brightly. and its rays, re-
fracted by the white surface. spread light
like that &c day. The hog was attached and
the train started. Finding itself down in
spite Of its efforts, il raised a cry, whereup.
on some Of the wolves appeared-not many
at first, timid also, anil keeping at a great
distance. Gradually their number increased.
and they approached the hunters, who con-
mcnced BY giving their iroika an ordin,ry
motion, Notwithstanding the trembling i'm.
patience Of tie three horses. About twenty
wolves came up, when the party found them
selves near enough to begin the massacre
Y on went shot, aud wolf fell, the Whole
band appeared to get alarmed, aud diminish
ed in number by about a half. 10 TACT, con-
trary 10 the general belief that wolves do not
feed on one another, seven or eight stsryiEg
ones had stopped behind to deyour their dead
companion, but the vacancy was soon sup.
piled. On all sides bowling replied tO how.
ling, and all around were seen pointed noses
aud eyes sparkling like esrbuncles. Tie
animals were within gun shot. aud the hun.
tiers made running firei but though every
shnt took effect, the baud so far from dimin.
ishing rather got lsrger. II soon ceased to
be a baud. and became a troopf the .csose
ranks ul which pressed On.ihe fiunters. sIheir
course was 20 rapid that they seemed TO hy