The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-04-28
A RUSSIAN WOLF HUNT.

a hOSSlAN WoLH hOAtA'
We translate the following story from late
number o. Mr.. Alexander Dumas newspaper. 1t is
an extract from one of his letters from st. Peters,
burg:
Wolf hunting and bear hunting are the favorite
rIeasures of the Russians. Wolves are hunted in
this way in the winter; when the wolves being hun
Ury are ferocious. Three or four huntsHen, each
armed with double-barrelled gun, get into
troika which Is any sort of carriage, drawn
by three horses--its name being derived from its
team and not from its form. The middle horse
trots al ways; the left hand and right hand horses
must always 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
thew are fastened the poles by the middle of the
body and galop with their heads free-they are call
ed the Furious The troika s driven by asure coach
man, if there is such thing 10 the world as
sure coachman. A pig is tied to the rear OF the
vehicle by q rope, or chain (for greater security
some IL yards long. The pig IS Kept IN the vehcie
until the huntsnen reach the forest where the
hunt il to take place, when he is taken out and
the horses started. The pig, not being accustomed
to this gait and his squeals soon degenerate
into lamentations. His cries brings out one wolf,
who gives the pig chase; then two wolves, then
three, then ten, then nifty Woives-aii POSING 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 squeals of agony
arouse all the wolves in the forest, within CIR
an immense flock Of wolves. 1t is now good driver
ia indispensable. 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 az they can load
there is no necessity to take any aim. The pig
saueals-the horses neigh-the wolves howl-the
ouna rattle it is q concert to make Mephistopheles
Jealous. As long as the driver commands mrs
horses fast as they may be running away, there
ia no danger. But, il he ceases to be master oil
them: IL they bauk If the troika is upset, there is
no hope. The next day, or the day after, or
week afterwards, nothing will remain OF the party
lint the wreck Of the troika, the barrels of the
guns and the larger bones OF the horses' hunts.
men and driver.
Last winter Prince Repnine went on one of
these hunts, and it came very near being MS last
hunt He was on q visit with two OF his friends
TO one of his estates near the steppe, and they de-
termined to 60 on wolf hunt. They prepared a
large sleigh in which three persons could move at
ease, three vigorous horses were put INTO IL, and
thew selected for driver O man born in the coun.
try and thoroughly experienced in the sport
Every huntsmsn had pair Of double barrel guns
in mense prairie covered with snow. The moon was
and hundred andshfty ball cartridges; IL was
full and shone brilliantly; its beams refracted by
the snow gave light scarcely inferior to day
light.
"a, whipped ND As soon az the pig felt that he
VA, dragged he began to squeal. wolf or two
appeared, but they were timid, and kept long
WAYS OF. Their numbers gradually Increased,
and as their numbers augmented they became
hoider. There were about twenty wolves when
they came within gun range OF the troika. One OF
the party fred; o wolf fell. The flock became
alarmed and half ned away. Seven or eight hun.
pry wolves remained behind to devour their dead
comDanion. The gaps were soon filled. On every
aide bowls answered bowls, on every side sharp
noses and brilliant eyes were seen peerlDg. The
cuns ratified volley after volley; but the flock of
wolves increased instead of diminishing, and soon
lint herd of wolves in
thick serried columns, which gave chase to the
sleigh.
seemedlto iy over the snow, and SO lightly, not
souud was heard; their numbers continued to in-
crease and increase, and increase; they seemed to
be silent tide drawing nearer and nearer, and
which the guns Of the party, rapidly as they were
discharged, had no effect on The wolves formed
q vast crescent, whose horns began to encompass
the horses. Their number increased 30 rapidly
they seemed to spring out OF the ground There
was something weird In their appearance; for
where could three thousand wolves come from 10
such desert of snow. 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 cartridges left, while they
were surrounded by three thousand wolves. The
two horns of the crescent became nearer and
nearer, and threatened to envelope the party.
II one Of the horses should have given ont, the
fate Of the whole party was sealed. "What do you
to the driver. II had rather be at home, Prince"
care You afraid OF any evil coBsequencesw "The
devils have tasted blood, and the more you fire
the more wolves you'll have" "What do you
think 10 the best thing to be done." MAKE the
horses 60 faster." "Arc you sure of the horses 20
"Yss, Prince" "Aro you sure Of cur safety ,"-
The driver made no reply. He quickened the
horses and turned their heads towards home
The horses few fester than ever, The driver ex-
cited them TO increased speed by sharp whistle.
and made them describe curve which intersected
one of the horns OF the crescent. The wolves
opened their ranks aud let the horses pass.
The Prince raised his gun to bis shoulder. "For
Gods sake don't fre'" exclaimed the driver. ave
are dead men II you dol" lie obeyed Ivan. The
wolves astonished BY this unexpected act, remain
Cd motionless for minute. Daring this minute
the troka was verst from them. When the wolves
started again after It, II too late they oud
overtake II. quarter offs hour Afterward they
we're 10 eight OF home. Prince Repnine thinks bis
horses ran at least six miles In these fifteen min
uses He rode over the steppe the next day, and
ioond the bones Of more than two hundred wolves.