The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-02-10
A Russian Wolf Hunt.


his castle in the country, about twenty leagues
from St. Petersburg, where he promised me
some rare sport in hunting wolves.
~ thiak. he said. '!you will find our mode
of destroying these beasts sufficiently novel
and exciting to repay you for your trouble.
Don't speak of trouble, count in con
nection with visit to your castle! am
certain that shall find myself indebted to
your lorlship for some Of the happiest hours
an my life!"
1t was towards the close Of long, dreary
winter that found myself in very sumpth-
Gus quarters of the castle referred to. which
stood upon high eminence commanding an
extensive view Of a level, open plain, which
was the beginning of wilderness that
stretched away unbrokeh for many and many
a.learne. 1t WAS on this open plain, now
covered with heavy incrustation of snow,
that the count proposed we should have our
wolfhun which to me did prove novel and
exciting, and even periloas beyond anything
had ever known.
Armed with double barreled guns and
some FIVE hundred ball cartridges apiece. the
count. friend of his, and myself, set oil
one afternoon in tro;ka for the place where
we were to begin our exciting sport-which,
promising it may be ms new to others as to
me. will euleavor to describe somewhat in
detail.
In the first place, troika is a sledge, lin
our case large enough to give ample room to
three persons besides the driver,) and is
drawn by three horses, from which fact Ii
takes its name these horses, trained for the
purpose. and harncssed to it all ABREAST
The one in the center. the principle beast to
be relied on, moves with his heal down, and
always in a trot. and is called the 'Snow,
Eater;'' while the two others gallop along
beside him. with their heads loose and are
termed the "Furies'' To manage all these
properly, and keep the troika from upsetting
as it skins and dances over the frozen snow.
up hill and down dale, require driver Of
great skill and experience Ordinarily the
upsetting of the sledge may not matter 50
much but when surrounded by large pack
of hungry wolves, it is certain death
In such saedse and such manner. we
set off, one clear. cold afternoon, for the
scene of our exploits, carrying with rs IA
half grown hog, which was to serve us for
bait We reached our first destination just
as the sun was sinking in his snowy bed, and
the full round moon was rising to silver over
the scene. Then the hog WAS taken ont and
nd tba il.n irpp pla frn
four to six feet long, and the horses started
forward at BRISK pace over the level, glist-
,sning plain. The hog began to squeal, and
the count Turned to me with a laugh
"How do you like the SPORT Mr.. King
ston?'' he said.
II think shall like it better when soe
something to shoot, and this scrctching brute
gets his sharp tones little modified! - re-
Piled halfstopping my ears.
lyon will have other noises to take Of
your attention presently" said the count.
'Do you think we shall be fortunate enough
to draw out any wolves in this way" asked,
''Give me half an hour" rejoined the
count, ''and if don't show you more wolves
than you would care to face afoot, then con-
slider me your debtor for whatever you
please"
After going some distance. our hog. great
ly to my relief, changed his tune from his
shrill, ear piercing squeal into something
resembling whine. The sun went down,
and the moon rose in full splendor, pouring
over the white polished snow briian,
light, that by refraction, was rendered al.
most dazzling.
"Ha." cried the count, as long, low,
peculiar howl came sweeping over the plain,
"did not tell you so? There is our first
answer to our complaining friend behind
And there again do you hear-there is
another and another-we soon shall have
work before us. See," he almost imme.
diately added, pointing to the left, ''there
they GOMEZ"
looked in the direc' ion indicated, and
saw, in the dim distance, what appeared tc
be two or three small, moving shadows
looked to the right, and behold more of the
same kind; and on ALI sides we now heard
those long, dismal howls by which one vol
calls to another, and knew they were gath
erng in force, and would soon be around US
Our chained hog continued his plaintive
cries, and the wolves fell in behind, anG
pressing forward, until they came up within
fifty yards, where, for a time their timidit,
seemed to hold them. AS their numbers in
creased, which they did every minute-th,
beasts at times appearing to spring from tn,
earth in mysterious way-their' boldnes
increased also; ard they gradually drew
nearer and nearer, swapping, snarlng, ant
growing, and so frightened our horses tina
the driver had much difficulty in holdin,
them down to a reasonable pace.
snow then, gentlemen said the count
''let us begin our sport, and heaven send II
safe deiverance from our perils''
With this he fred two shots at the row o
fiery eyes behindus. A sharp yep followed
and one of the animals began to limp an,
fall back whereupon the others, perhap
smelling and getting taste of his blood
sprung furiously upon him, tore him t,
pieces. and devoured him in almost the tim
it takes me to tell of it. In two minute
r,o,o tl,, b,n ha,stS wara proccior ca