The Morning herald., 1878-10-16
SAVED FROM WOLVES.
BY +. M. A.

~ . 49, ID III 81
In the North and East Of Europe the dan
ger incurred by travellers in sledges Of being
hunted by packs Of hungry wolves is very
great; and many dreadful incidents bear
witness to their success. A very horrible
one is narrated. A woman, accompanied
by three of her children, was one day
travelling In this mode, when she saw that
she was chased by these gaunt foes In full
pack. She at once put the horse into
gallop, and drove toward ber home, from
which she was not far off, with all possible
speed. All, however, would not avail, for
the ferocious beasts gained upon her, and
at last were On the point of rushing on the
sledge. .".' III III
For the preservation of her own life and
that of the remaining children the poor
frantic creature now took one of the babes
and cast 1t as prey to her bloodthirsty
pursuers. This stopped their career for a
moment, but after deyourlng the little inno-
cent they renewed their pursuit and a second
time came up with the vehicle. The mother,
driven to desperation, resorted to the same
horrible expedient, and threw her ferocieus
assailants smother of her offspring. To cut
short this melancholy story, her third child
was sacrificed in similar manner. Soon
after this wretched being, whose feelings
may be better conceived than described,
reached her home in safety.
Mr.. Atkinson, q traveller In Siberia, has
sketched, with his usual graphic vigor, the
situation of himself and his party OF Kal-
mucks, when surrounded by wolves In
Mongolia: They were encamped for the
night on the open steppe on the banks of a
little lake, when suddenly the bowling of
the wolves was heard at distance. The
men quickly collected the horses and pre-
pared to receive the aesailants. The fire
was nearly out, but 1t was thought best to
allow them to approach, and then by a little
fresh fuel to obtain light enough for for .
fair shot. 1t was not long before the pat
tering of their many feet was heard as they
galloped toward the party, and presently
savage howl arose. The men threw some
dry bushes on the embers, and blew up
bright flame, which sent its red glare far
around, disclosing the pack, with ears and
tails erect, and flashing eyes. At signal,
five rifles and a double-barrel poured In
volley with effect, as the horrible bowling
revealed. Snarling, the pack drew off.
Soon the terror of the horses announced
the approach of the marauders, and they
could be heard stealing round between the
encampment and the lake, dividing into
two packs, so as to approach on opposite
sides. Presently the glare of their eyebslls
was seen, and their grizzly forms pushing
one another on. Again the bullets sped,
and the shriekipg packs again retreated
but only to keep watch at little distance.
The night now grew very dark, and all
the fuel was exhausted. Presently, Q dis
tsnt bowling announced the approach of a
new pack, on whose arrival the old ones,
which had been silently bidding their time,
began to manifest their presence by jealous
growls, which soon gave way to general
fight among themselves. Some of the men
now, well armed, crept along the margin of
the lake to collect more fuel, which was
then placed on the fire. The flame was
blown up, and group of eight or ten
wolves was seen within fifteen PAGES, with
others beyond. The rifles once more cracked,
snd the packs, with frightened howl,
scampered off.
In the morning eight wolves were lying
dead, and the stained tracks showed that
many others had carried away mortal
wounds, the "reminiscences of that fearful
night.