Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-03-18

the Pale moon was creeping up IN the
sky, and reflected from the shining
surface Of the snow, all was light as
day.
eve shall probably knock over
wolf or two as the evening comes on,
said the Count, ''but am sorry not to
show you some large game"
Scarcely had the words lief. his mouth
when noise behind them attracted the
attention of both, and turning they
beheld small pack of wolves, rendered
desperate by hunger. pursuing the
sleigh. They came nearer and nearer.
As they were in SO large number
twenty or more-the Count told the
driver to keep up his speed, and he
would pick off one or two ofthem at a
time. They were soon within range,
and lifting one Of the guns, he fred
each of the barrels, and two wolves
dropped in their tracks
Then follow the singular scene which
is instructive with these animals. AS
soon as one is wounded and rendered
helpless, his companions fall upon him
and devour his body at once. These
creatures, crazed with hunger, tore the
earcasses to pieces in an incredibly short
time, fighting over the body te secure
a mouthful, and were soon rushing after
the sleigh with renewed ferocity, ex-
cited by the taste of blood. The
young Englishman soon tried bis hand
and dropped three of the wolves with
two shots, one having evidently gone
entirely through the body of the animal
and entered that of another before its
impetus was lost.
The same scene was repeated which
we have just described, but the pack
had increased by the addition of
another score of animals, which had
been attracted by the smell or noise of
those already in the field.
1t began to look serious, aud the
Count remarked that he had no idea
the wolves were in such numbers this
season.
They fred again, each time killing
wolf; bu. that retarded the pursuers
but for a few moments-so many starry
ing mouths devoured the wounded
creatures instantaneously.
In the meantime the horses were kept
at steady and lively gait. 1t would
not answer to use them up by desper
ate dash of speed; for if they were to
give out, the travellers would be torn to
pieces in FIVE minutes, as we'll as the
horses themselves.
keep steady hand, Ivan,' said the
Count to the driver. "Don't fret the
the team, bat keep them we'll up to
work. We have a long route before
u.s."
eyes, Count"
"Now, Mr.. Hurburt, we shall give
you chance to show your good marks
manship. Here comes another pack on
our flank"
''TwicA as large in numbers, said the
Englishnan
''True. You blaze away at them
when they get near enough see you
are an excellent shot and will keep
those fellows behind busy with each
others carcasses.
Care was taken TO load the guns as
fast as fred, for fear that the time
might be near at hand when they could
not spare the time for that purpose
The wolves had not yet got near
enough to use the revolve,s upon them.
More than a dozen wolves had been
shot and devoured up to this time, serv
ing to keep the pack back by the con-
sequent delays each time that two CT
them fell by the unerring aim of the
Count and his companion.
The large pack that came down in
quartering direction were now quite
near, and the Englishman aimed and
fired. 1t was impossible to miss them,
they were so close together, and two
instantly dropped, rolling over and
staining the snow with their blood.
The pack halted and tore them to pie
ces, while the sleigh keeping on its
steady course threw them far behind,
and they joined those Immediately in
the rear This crowd of ravenous and
ferocious creatures now numbered sixty
or more, two or three fresh wolves join
ing them every few minutes from diff.
ferent directions.
The Count kept busy with his guns,
but said not word. The expression up
on his counterance, however, was one
of considerable anxiety, and he was
careful to reload at every fire.
The wolves now spread themselves
out, all the while on the run, in the
shape of half moon or crescent, SO that
the two ends of the pack, now number
ing hundred at least, came nearly on
range with both sides of the sleigh,
though some rods distant. The Count
and his companion kept busy, and at
each fire of their double barrelled guns,
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