The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-05-12
CHASED BY WOLVES.
BY H. c. DODGE.

During one of the coolest winters
ever known, l was in Russia, my
business obliging me to spend several
months in an outskirt village situated
on the bank of goodly sized but un-
navigable river which, Of course, was
frozen solid.
Having plenty of spare time and
snoh ! splendid place to indulge in my
favorite sport of sailing on the ice, 1
had made me fine ice boat, on which,
warmly clad in fur garments, took
4 frequent and long trips, sometimes
extending them far into the night
4 vhen the moon was bright enough.
Although was often warned by
Hla peasants to avoid venturing too far
III IN iver-especially at night--on
N0cpunt of the wolves who inhabited
That wild region, paid little attention
~ their words, for, never having been
fS=@.E4SAVu Oy tuooO savage SICaCutCo,
}dn't realize how dangerous they
I Il 6lther did know that the Russian
WOLVES were at least twice as big and
much more terrible in strength and
4erocity than those in this country,
which had always skulked away the few
times ] had met them in our Western
States.
Late one clear and cold afternoon l
started out on my iceboat prepared
for . longer trip than usual, for it was
dull moon time I wanted to see the
grand mountain scenery some thirty
miles up the river and also the falls
there which I had been told were so
wonderfully beautiful in their winter
dress and in the moonlight.
The rivers solid sur face was in
most places smooth and the wind was
Just right for fine sailing.
For fear 1 might meet some wolves
which, ! knew, or thought did, that
my swift iceboat could easily distance
in case they followed, wore brace
Of big revolvers and small hatchet,
which last, however, l always took
with me.
Quickly left the settlement far
behind and where the river was
straight and wind favorable 1 flew
with lightning's speed.
But where the river twisted 80 I
had to tack, or where the ice was
humpy, or where the tall fir tree on
the silent. snow-covered banks kept
on the wind, l made slower progress.
I The further got up the river the
more bewildering in grandeur and
beauty the uninhabitable and rugged
\ country became, and when the setting
sun lighted the clouds and mountain
tops with fire the effect on the weird
Russian landscape exceeded my wild
n est dreams of natures glory.
When the full moon arose from be-
mhind the dark forest of frs, which
y sSsfriuged the rivers edge and the colors
from fiery gold to silvery
i.white, ! was completely entranced,
The contrast between the glitters of
lthe moonbeams on the sparkling snow
s'and Ice and the intense blackness and
shadows of the gloomy woods charmed
Nlne, and yet, in spite of my enthusi-
&hsm, it awed me with its fearful sub
|limity.
|U Onward my iceboat few till came
IN sight of the falls ahead, then,
sipacking my speed, l slowly and care
lAfully Approached them.
auss In their center the dark waters
aaped and tumbled, on either side
~tees and rocks coated with glistening
n i and dazzling icicles seemed like
sugar Fairyland. while above hung
essss misty cloud of spray in which foated
se npar rainbow.
iaa$ know not how lcng l would have
or e~I
NV Rlided to and fro lost in ad-
1iQn of the majestic scene of
5 "A - had l not been startled by a
.sSi siii owl apparently coming from
S5ss lpss bs of the dismal woods on my
Ers ckly followed by answering
lies Tx--tl lE&U
slns oWln4 pm the other bank.
ON .W
rnS ,sss kn4 from my little experience
~ stSsErhile MATING in the far West that the
ss e ppnds Nera frem wolves and that l