Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-01-18
Hunting Wolves in Russia.


Russian muiik has various resources es-thc
trap, the pitfall, the inseparablc topor, or
short axe, deadly weapon in such hand
but the programme Of regular wolf hunt "
in the provinces is always the same. At
some abnormal hour between the night aud
the day." you are aroused almost, as it
seems, before you are well asleep, from
rough couch 10 one of the little log-huis Of
some outlying village, by violent shake OF
the shoulder, and hoarse voice admonishing
you to get up, and look sharp about it for
there's no time to lose. You make hasty
toilet, and sallying forth, see in front Of the
hut, in the dim light of the coming morning,
@ huge dark, shapeless mass (Which, as your
eyes get used TO the darkness, assumes the
form of broad, heavy, three-horsc sedgc,
with very high sides, not unlike an enormous
washing-tuh), around which are fitting three
or four spectral figures with lanterns, the fit
iul glare making their grim bearded faces
look grimmer and less human than ever.
Guns, ammunition, haversacks, are slowed
away in the bottom Of the conveyancc--and
llast, but not least) a young pig; your query
respecting which elcts from the leader Of the
party only the oracular answer that "it'll
come in hand by-aud-by;' and all being now
ready, the hunters squeeze themselves into
their places, the driver shakes his reius with
Wo-o-o !' and away we 90 into the dark
ness. Mile after mile Of the frozen waste
goes by like a dream, till at length spectral
shadows Of the forest slowly gather rourd US,
and the sloeais oil our un'Ac.y p'g' whose
ears one oil our party II now p'nchIug 'usu'y
og4'1 70 oe answered. oy ouoVncr SCUM,
"hich no one VINO mas once hc'fu u VII,
easuy lorget--not t3e Iong heiancno'y no" ,
Where"i'h supperiess "oii may oe nearu
pemoaIlng nl'nSc'' on 'uo ou'sA'r'' oi Mos-
cow aimos. any n'ght III inc Week, ou,
quick snarIing cry as oi one VINO sees 1's am
ner coming ana "lsh's 10 naS'en .uV priuser
oil IT, Anu 'ncrc 'ueJ vo'no az ,as'i .nc
WHY, slouch'ng 'y''o%S' "''n 'nv,r puSuy 'a'ls
anu nal harro" neauS' anu ye',o"' 'n'offn
murderous eyes. lhore Is perhaps hothln8
ON earth more thoroughly mean anu ha'eiu''
loooklhg' az inc nrst s'ghI uieu 'ne gehu' ut
russian "olt' Out Tue rascal mas certain
pletnresluenes' OF MS own notwlth9tanulng s..
though oil disagreeaole Nina. mere
something grand III the ooggeu ana sinister
tensclty oil ITS pursuit; coming on win hea'
thrown iorwarl, ana sharp white iangs un
,leathed, untlrn1iy ana uhreehtlng'y ike
bunting Fate,
with hi. long eallop which can tire
''' "'li'l '''p ',''' ''', "'H''' '.'
But there is no leisure for moralising now
for the wolves are almost level with ou
s'cdge, aud 1t Is time to let fly. Bang
The foremost OF the pack rolled over o.
his side, kicking conyulsiyely but the res
gallop on unheeding' Bang bang an
two more ieli dead blotting the snow aroun
them with a smear OF dull crimson. some Q
the boldest pursuers swarm up to the sledg'
and attempt to leap over the enclrcling bar
rier while we hammer them with the butt
ends Of our pieces, and chop at their paw
with hatchets, and slash them across the eye
with huntiug-knlves, the two hind most
our party meanwhile cracking at them owe
our shoulders as fast as they can load. ,
for time the runnlng-hght goes hercely OF
making altogether very striking taDlea'
The white skeleton tracery oil the trohe
3 forest the long snaky Inc OF the pursuln
pack, shadowy aud spectral, as II bodied
the mist from which 1t emergcs the whrlir
hgures oi the foremost wolves amld the tos
ing spray oil snow ana curling clouds OF blul;
smoke; the ceaseless nash oil the busy rlhes' u
2 steamng horses urged to tne'r utmost spee'
the driver, with his broad sallow lace
ahlaze with excitement, shaking the reil
and hanging forward to ply the wh'p' u
huge cumorous sle1ge, rocking ana rec
ing over the snow win IT'S freight of slru