The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-10
A RUSSIAN WOLF HUNT.

number of Mr. Alexander Dumas newspaper. 1t
is an extract from one of his letters from St Pc
tersburg:
Wolf hunting and bear hunting are the favorte
pleasures of the Russians. Wolves are hunted In
this way in the winter; when the wolves beng
hungry are ferocious. Three or four hunsnen
each armed with double barreled gun, get INTO
troika, which is any sort OF carriage, drawn
by three horses-its name being derived from It's
team, and not from its form. The middle horse
trots always; the left hand and right hand horses
must always gaop. 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 CT the
body, and gallop with their head tree-they are
called the Furious. The troika is driven by a sure
eoachman, if there is such thing in the world as
sure coachman 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 vehl-
Gle until the huntsmen reach the forest where the
hunt is to take place, when he is taken out ana
the horses started. The pig not being accustom-
cd to this gait, squeals and his squeas soon de-
generate into lamentations. His cries brings out
one wolf who gives the pig chase; then two wolves,
then three, then ten, then fifty woiyes-al post
ing as hard as they can go after the poor pig,
fighting among themselves for the best places,
snanping and striking at the poor pig, at every
onnortunity, who squeals with despair These
soneas 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 a good driver is indispensable. The horses
have an instructive horror of wolves, and 60 almost
crazy; they run as fast as they can 60
The huntsmen fire as fast as they can load
there is no necessity to take any aim. The pig
soueals-the horses neigh-the wolves howl-the
ons rattle; it is a concert to make Mephlstophees
| Jealous, As long as the driver commands his
horses, fast as they may be running away, there
is no danger But, if he cease to be master OF
them; if they bauk if the troika is upset there IS
no hope. The next day, the day after, or
week 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 hunts-
men 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 the steppe, and they oe-
termined to 90 on a wolf hunt. They prepared
LARGE sleigh in which three persons could move al
ease three vigorous horses were put INTO II, anu
thev selected for driver a man born III the coun
/ trv and thoroughly experienced In the sport
Every huntsman had pair OF double barrel guns
with hundred and fifty ball cartridges 1t WAS
night when they reached the steppe; that IS an I'M
mense prairie covered with snow The moon was
full, and shone brilliantly its beams refractei by
the snow gave light scarcely inferior to daylght
The pig was put out of the sleigh and the hor
ses whipped up. AS soon as the pig felt that II
: was dragged he began to squeal. a wolf or tw
: appeared but they were timd and kept ION;
e WAYS off. Their number gradually increased
. and as their number augmented they becam
bolder. There were about twenty wolves ~he'
they came within gun range OF the trolka' One
the party fired; wolf fell. The flock bacam
LII Qol
# orv wolves remained behind to devour their dea
d comranion. The gaps were soon filled. On ever
st side howls answered howls, on every side shar
e noses and brilliant eyes were seen peerlng. LII
"a "a onns ratified volley after volley; but the flock
/ wolves increased instead of diminishing, and 500
< it was not flock, but vast herd OF wolves l
tie thick serried columns, which gave chase to tn
v, W sleigh. -,
The wolves bounded forward so rapidly the
he seemed to f1y over the snow, and so llShty, ho
n sound was heard: their numbers continued to II
e. crease and increase, and increase; they seemed
Il he silent tide drawing nearer aud nearer an
to which the guns of the party, rapidly as they we
C. DISCHARGED. had no effect The wolves torme
vast crescent whose horns began to encompa
the horses. Their number increased so rapid
: they seemed to spring out OF the ground. L nc
was something weird in their appearance;
where could three thousand wolves come from
such desert OF SHOW. 1 he Poi'J
pig into the sleigh; his squeas increased the "ovt
holiness. The party continued to ire put IN
had now used above half their ammunition al
had but two hundred cartridges LETT while tn tn
re were surrounded by three thousand wolves
we two horns of the crescent became nearer al
nd nearer, and threatened to envelop the party
y, IF one of the horses should have given out,
H. fate of the whole party was sealed. What DO y
think of this, Ivan ?" said Prince Repnlne, spe'
- inc to the driver II had rather be at hon
D., Prnce" care you afraid of any evil con-
onencps7" The devils have tasted blood, a
D., the more you fire the more wolves youh haS'
s.What do you think the best thing to DC zone
: MAKE the horses go faster." Are you sure Q.
90 horses ?" eyes, Prince" care you sure OF
es, safety ?'' The driver made no reply lie quick
cd the horses and turned their heads towards hol
tod The horses few faster than ever. 1he driver
of c;ted them to increase speed by sharp whist
1 ond mad. them describe curve which lntersec
- ono of the horns of the crescent The vol
Lr- oronod their ranks and let the horses pass.
The nrince raised his gun to his shoulder @!
OH Gods sake, don't fire " exclaimed the driver :.
are de.d men if you do1 He obeyed Ivan.
wolves astonshed by this unexpected act iems
ad notionless for minute. During this min
Tho tro;ka was a verst from them. when
wolves started again after it, it was too late, t
conld not overtake it. A quarter OF an hour at
wa1d thew were in sight of home. Prince hepn
th;nts his horses ran at least six miles IN tt
fFtoer minutes He rode over the steppe the u
Ino' 5ov and found the bones of more than two