The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-27
A RUSSIAN WOLF-HUNT.


Wolfhunting and bear-hunting are the favorite
pleasures of the Russians. Wolves are hunted in
this way in the winter, when the wolves, being
hungry, are terocious. Three or four huntsmen,
each armed with doube-barreed gun, ct into a
troika, which is any sort of n carriage drawn by
three horses-its name being derived from its team,
and not 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 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 is driven by a sure coach
man, if there is such thing in the world as sure
coachman. pig is tied to the rear of the vehicle
by rope, a chain (for greater security), some
twelve yards long. The pig is kept in the vehicle
until the hunsmen reach the forest where the hunt
is to take place. when he is taken and the horses
started. The pig, not being accustomed this gait
squeals and his squeas soon degenerate into amen-
tations. His cries bring out wolf who gives
the pig chase; then two wolves, then three, then
ten then fifty wolves, all posting as hard as they
can 60 after the poor pig, fighting among them
selves 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 circuit of three miles,
and the troika is followed by an immense flock of
wolves. 1t is now good driver is Indispensable
The horses have an instructive horror OF wolves and
go almost crazy; they run as fast they can 60
The huntsmen fire as fast as they can load
squeals the horses NEIGH and the wolves howl, the
guns rattle; it is a concert to make Mephistophe-
les jealous As long as the driver commands his
horses, fast they may be running away there
is no danger But, if he ceases to be master of
them; if thev bau& if the troka is upset. there is
no hope. The next day, or the day after, or a 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, huntsmen and
driver.
Last winter Prince Repnne 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 the steppe, and they determined to
go on a wolf hunt. They prepared a large sleigh,
in which three persons could move at ease,
three vigorous horses were put into it, they
selected for driver a man born in the country
and thoroughly experienced in the sport. Every
huntsman had pair of dOubled-barreed guns and
a hundred and fifty ball cartridges.
Itwas night when they reached the steppe; that
is, an immense prairie covered with snow. The
moon full, and shone brilliantly; its beams
refracted by the snow, gave light scarcely infe-
rior 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
squeal. A wolf or two appeared, but they were
tinid, and kept long ways of. Their number
gradually increased, and as their numbers aug
mented, they became bolder. There about
twenty wolves when they came within gun range
of the troika. One of the party fired; wolf fell
The flock became alarmed, and half fled away.
Seven or eight hungry wolves remained behind to
devour their dead companion. The gaps were
soon filled. On every side howls answered hows;
on every side sharp noses and brilliant eyes We're
seen peering. The guns ratified volley after vol
lev. But the flock of wolves increased instead of
diminishing, and soon it was not flock, bat a
vast herd of wolves, in thick serred columns which
gave chase to the sleigh. The wolves bounded
forward so rapidly they seemed to fly over the
snow, AMI so lightly rot a sound was heard;
their numbers continuing to increase and increase;
they seemed to be silent tide drawing and
nearer, and which the guns of the party, rapidly
as they were discharged, had effect on. The
wolves formed vast crescent, whose horns begaI
| to encompass the horses. Their number increased
| so rapidly they seemed to spring out of tn,
! ground. There something weird in their an
| pearance, for where could three thousand wOlve
! come from in such desert of snow? The part,
had taken the pig into the sleigh; his soueal in
| creased the wolves boldness The party continna,
to fire, but they had now used above half of thei
ammunition, and had but two hundred cartridgc
left, while they were surrounded by three thoussn
wolves. The two horns of the crescent hecau M
| nearer and nearer, and threatened to enyelon tn
| party. If one of the horses should have given on
the fate of the whole party was sealed ~Wba
do you think of this Ivan P'' said Prince Rer
nine, speaking to the driver. al had rather 5
at home, prince" "Are you afraid of any ev
| consequences? &C. The devils have taste
olood, and the more you fire the more wolve
| you'll have" "What do you think is the bes
thlng. to be done f' fMake the horses go faster.
care you sure of the horses?' care you sure 3
J our safety 2" The driver made no reply. ii