The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-07
NO. 40.
Wolf Hunting In Russia.

A correspondent gives a lively account
of wolf hunting, which is one OF the
favorite sports in those parts OF Russia
where the animals have not disappeared
before advancing civilization. At some
abnormal hour between night and morn.
ing, you are aroused by vigorous
shuke and hoarse admonition to
"tumble up and look sharp about it,
for there's no time to lose." You make
hasty toilet, and, sallying forth, see
in front Of your hut, in the dim light OF
the coming dawn, huge, dark, shape:
less mass, which, as your eyes get used
to the darkness, assumes the form OF u
broad, heavy, three.horse sledge, with
very high sides, not unlike an enormous
washing tub, around which fit three or
four spectral figures with lanterns-the
iitful glare making their grim, bearded
faces look grimmGr and less human than
ever. Guns, ammunition, hayersacks,
etc., arc slowed away in the bottom OF
the conveyance and last, but not least,
young pig, protesting against his
WDuUClluu VIII lpluucpn hllA MUMMY
that would do honor to Hyde Park
meeting.
All being now ready, the hunters
squeeze themselves into their places,
the driver shakes his reins with wild
whoop, and away we go in the darkness.
Mile after mile Of the frozen waste goes
by like dream, till at length the spec
tral shadows OF tho forests begin to
gather round us, and the squenl OF our
unlucky pig (whose ears one of our
party Is vigorously pinching) begin to
bo answered by another sound which
no one who has yet heard it will easily
forget not the long, melancholy how
wherewith BupperlesS wolf may be
heard bemoaning himself on the out.
skirt OF our village any night in the
week, but tho quick, snarling cry oil
one who sees his food coming and wishes
to hasten it. And behold, there they
come at lust, the gaunt, wiry, slouching
fellows, and their busy tails, and fiat,
narrow heads, and yellow, thieyisl,
murderous eyes. Crack tho foremost
OF the pack rolls over on to his side,
kicking convulsively but tho rest
gallop on unheeding.
Crack crack md two more fall dead,
blotting the snow with smear Of dark
crimson. Some OF the boldest pursuers
swarm up to the sledge, and attempt to
leap over its projecting sides, while we
pound their heads with the butt ends
Of our pieces aud chop their paws with
hatchets, and slash them across the
eyes with hunting knives, the two hind.
most OF our party meanwhile blazing
away over our shoulders as fast as they
can load. And so for a time tho run
ming fight goes fercely on, making
altogether very striking tableau.
But "the pace is too stiff to last, " as
our leader remarks with knowing
grin. A run at full speed through the
deep snow tries even iull.grown wolf
too severely to be continued beyond q
certain time, and in the face OF stont
resistance the beasts inherent cowardice
is sure to come to the surface sooner or
later.
Already three or four gaunt, shaggy
veterans who have probably lad q good
supper over night, begin TO hang back
as II doubling the wisdom Of risking
their lives for a hypothetical breakfast.
Tho speed OF tho res. slackened by
degrees, and at length tho whole pack
drove OF as il by tacit agreement, leay.
ing us to pursue our wayunmolested. Aa
we emerge again upon the open plain,
across which the beams OF the rising
sun are Just beginning to fall We see
the last OF our grim followers sinking
like belated specter into the gloomy
shadows Of tile forest which We have
united.