The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-05-04


The burning thoughts she cannot quell-
Or point to mansions OF the blessed.
Ksokuk, May ;, 1859.
ARussian Welt Hunt.
We translate the following story from .
late number of NJ. Alex. Dumas newspaper.
II is an extract from one OF his letters from
ST. Petersburg.
Wolf hunting and bear hunting are the IA
vorite 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 q
double-barreled gun, get into troika, which
10 sort OF carriage, drawn by three horses !;
its name being derived from it's team, and
not from it's form. The middle horse trots
always; the left hand and right hand horses
must always gallop. The middle horse trots
with his head hanging down, and he is called
tho Snow-eater. The two others have only
one rein, and they are fastened to the poles
by the middle Of the body, and gallop their
heads free-they are called the Furious. The
troika 10 driven by sure ooaohmsn, il there
is such thing in the world as sure coach
man. A pig is tied to the rear Of the vehicle
by rope, or chain (for greater security
some IL yards long.
The pig is kept in the vehicle until the
huntsmen reach the forest where the hunt is
to take place, when he is taken out and the
horses started. The pig, not being accus-
toned to this gait, squeals, and his squeals
soon degenerate into lamentations. His cries
bring out one wolf, who gives the pig ehaise;
then two wolves, then three, then ten, then
fifty wolves-all posting as hard % they can
60 after the poor pig. fighting among them
selves for the best places, swapping and stri.
king at the poor pig at every opportunity,
who squalls With despair. These squads of
agony arouse all the wolves in the forest.
within circuit of three miles, and the troll
ka is followed by an immense flock Of wolves.
II is now good driver IL Indispensable. The
horses have an instructive horror OF wolves,
and 60 almost crazy they run a. fast Is they
can 60.
The huntsmen FIRE as fast as they oan load
there is no necessity to take any aim. The
pig squeals-the horses nsigh-the wolves
howl--the guns rattle it is concert to make
Mephistopheles jealous. As long rs the dri-
YER commands his horses, fast rs they may
be running away, there is no danger. But,
II he ceases to be master of them; IL they
baulk, If the troika is upset, there il no hope.
The next day, or the day after, or week A.
forwards, nothing will remain OF the party
but the wreck Of the troika, the barrels OF
the guns, and the larger bones Of the horses,
huntsmen and driver.
Last winter Prince Repnine went on one OF
these hunts, and il came very near being his
last hunt. He was on q visit with two OF his
friends to one OF his estates near the stepps,
and they determined to go on wolf hunt
They prepared large sleigh in which three
persons could move ut 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 o hundred and fifty bal! cartridges. Il
was night when they reached the steppe, that
is an immense prairie covered with snow
The moon was full and shone brilliantly it's
beams refraoted by the snow gave light
scarcely inferior to daylight.
The pig was put out Of the sleigh and the
horses whipped up. AS soon as the pig felt
that he Was dragged he began to squea[. A
wolf or two appeared, but they were timid,
and kept long ways of. Their numbers
gradually increased, and as their numbers
augmented they became holder. There were
about twenty wolves when they came within
gun range OF the troika. One Of the party
tired J; wolffell. The Hook became alarmed
and half fed away. Seven or eight hungry
wolves remained behind to devour their dead
companion. The gaps were soon filed. On
every side howls answered howls, on every
side sharp noses and brilliant eyes we're seen
peering. The guns ratified volley after vol
ley; but the flock Of wolves increased instead
OF diminishing, and soon it was not q flock,
but vast heard Of wolves in thick serried
| columns, which gave chase to the sleigh.
| The wolves bounded forward 80 rapidly
they seemed to fly over the snow, and 90
lightly, not sound was hoard their NUM-
bers continued to increase and increase, and
increase; they seemed to be . silent tide
drawing nearer and nearer, and which the
guns of the party. rapidly % they were dis
charged, had no effect on. The wolves formed
vast crescent, whose horns began to en-
compass tho horses. Their number increased
SO rapidly they seemed to spring out Of the
ground. There was something weird in their
appearance, for where could three Thousand
wolves come from in such desert Of snow
The party bad taken the pig into the sleigh
his squeal increased the wolves boldness. -
The party continued to FIRE, but they had no '
used above hall their ammunition, and had
but two hundred cartridges left, while they
were surrounded by thrse thousand wolves
The two horns OF tho crescent became neare,
snd nearer, and threatened to envelope the
party.
II one Of the horses should have given GU,
the fats OF tho whole party Was sealed
nWhas do you think Of this, Ivan 2'' said
Prince kepnine, speaking to the driver. 81
had rather DO 81 home, Prince" care YOU
afraid OF any evil consequences ?" 9Th,
devils have tasted blood, and tho more yos