Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-05-06
A RUSSIAN WOLFHUNT.

Wof-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 ierocious. Three
or four huntsmen, each armed with a double
barrolled gun, get into a troika, which is any
sort of carriage drawn by three horses-its
name being derived from It's team and not its
form. 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
middle of the body, and gallog with their
heads free they are called the furious. The
troika is driven by a sure coachman, If there
is such thing in the world as a sure coach
man. A pig is tied to the rear of the vehicle
by a rope or chain for greater secuuty.)
some twelve yards long. The pig is kept in
the vehicle until the huntsmen reach the for
est where the hunt is to take place, when he
is taken out and the horses started. The pig,
not being accustomed to this gait, squcals
and his squeals soon degenerate into lamee-
tatons 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 90 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
squeas Of agony arouse all the wolves in the
forest within a circuit of three miles, and the
troika is followed by an immense flock of
wolves 1t is now a good driver is indispen-
sable. The horses have an instructive horror
of wolves, and go almost crazy; they run as
fast as they can GO The huntsmen fire as fast
they can load-thero is no necessity to take
any aim. The pig squoas-the horses neigh
the wolves howi-tho gems rattle; it is
concert to make Mcphstopheles jealous. As
long as the driver commands his horses, fast
as they may be running away, there is no
danger But, if he ceases to be master of
thcm if they baulk, if the troika is upset,
/ there is no hope. The next day, or the day
after, or week afterwards, nothing will re-
main of the party but the wreck Of the troll
ka, the barrels Of the guns, and the larger
bones Of the horses, huntsmen and driver
Last winter Prince Rupert went on one of
these hunts, and it came very near being his
last hunt. He was on a visit, with two Of
his friends, to one of his estates near the
steppe. and they determined to 90 on a wolf
hunt They prepared a large sleigh, in which
three persons could move with ease three
vigorous horses were put into it, and they
d
try, and thoroughly experienced in the sport
Every huntsman had pair of doube-barrel
guns and a hundred and fifty ball cartridges
1t was night when they reached the steppe :
that is, an immense prairie covered with snow.
The moon was full and shone brilliantly; its
beams refracted 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 drag
ged he began to squeal. wolf or two ap-
pea. ed, but they were timid and kept long
ways off. Their numbers gradually increas-
ed, and as their numbers augmented they be-
came bolder. There were about twenty wolves
when they came within gun range of the troll
ka. One of the party fired wolf fell
The flock became alarmed, and half fled away
Seven ar eight hungry wolves remained be-
hind to devour their dead companions. The
gaps were soon filed. On every side howls
answered howls on every side sharp noses
and brilliant eyes were seen peerng. The
guns ratified volley after volley. But the
flock of wolves increased instead of diminish
ing, and soon it was not flock, but 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 lightly not a sound
was heard their numbers continued to in
crease. and increase, and increase they SEEM
ed to be a silent tide drawing nearer and
nearer. and which the guns of the party, rap
idly as they were discharged, had no effect
on, The wolves formed vast crescent,
whose horns began to encompass the horses
Their number increased so rapidly they SEEM
ed to spring out of the ground. There was
something weird in their appearance, for where
could three thousand wolves come from in
such a desert of snows The party had taken
the pig into the sleigh his squeal increased
the wolves boldness. The party continued
to fire but they had now used above half
their ammunition. and had but two hundred
crtridges left, while they were surrounded by
three thousand wolves. The two horns of
the crescent came nearer and nearer, and
threatened to enyelop the party If one of
the horses should have given out, the fate of
the whole party was sealed.
"What do you think Of this. Ivan :" said
Prince Rupert, speaking to the driver.
II had rather be at home, Prince"
Are you afraid of any evil consequences :"
"The devils have tasted blood, and the
more you fire the more wolves you'll have
"What do you think is the best thing to be
donei'
MAKE the horses 60 faster
"Are you sure Of the horses -
"Yes, Prince
"Are you sure of our safety ?"
The driver made no reply. He quickened
the horses, and turned their heads toward
home The horses flew faster than ever. The
driver excited them to increased speed by a
sharp whistle, and made them describe acurve