Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-12-07
FIGHT WITH WOLVES
THRILLING ADVENTURE IN THE LAND
OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

A Fearful Struggle in the WiIds of Nor
way with Horde of Savage, Hungry
Wolves F2eeter Than Deer and More
Persevering Than Bloodhounds.
1 have hunted coyotes ON the western
plains and wolves in Canada and the
northwest, and I have always thought
that conflict with Siberian blood
hounds would be as terrific as any, but
for real work there is nothing like ii
pack of starving Norway wolves. 1t is
something beyond the imaginative abil-
ity of the American hunter Although
we were told we might possibly meet
an attack we braved the ride, all Icing
well armed in case of need. The
officers of the Mira carried the Hickfa
rifle. This is the military repeater of
Norway. Morton had four barreled
Sharp's pistol, while 1 carried a four
barreled hammerless Charles Lancaster
45-caliber pistol-one l had recently pur-
chased while in London.
We proceeded about twenty miles
without any serious incident, when just
as we were crossing little frozen creek
some forty yards wide strange sensa-
ton seemed to take possession of our
deer; they shivered, tremEed, and the
hairs on their back stood on end.
"Wolvesr' yelled my driver, and began
to lash the deer, one of which promptly
slipped on ice, fell down and tangled
himself up with the harness, thus seri-
ously impeding our coveted progress. l
was on the second sled with Lieutenant
Bjornstan, Mrs. Wilson and Miss Cory.
.Boys," said common danger makes
fast friends), "send every bullet home y
Just at this moment six fierce, hungry
gray wolves came galloping toward us
about twenty yards away.
The deer regained his footing and
away we dashed. Wolves can run as
fast against the wind as with it, SO can
the deer, but they had heavy sled, five
people and foot deep Of frozen crusted
snow to contend with. The lieutenant
began firing as the wolves gained on US.
Robert and Lieutenant Thrach were
firing rapidly, for the pack had been
augmented and divided forces. We had
now run about half mile, a wolf drop
ping once in awhile, but OH they came
in increased numbers on our flank. You
wonder perhaps why did not shoot;
well, will tell you. A running wolf,
while the shooter is in a sled behind
trotting deer, is difficult to hit. l had
only 100 cartridges, and knew it would
be madness to waste them. If the driver
would only stop; but that was impossi-
BILE, as he and the deer were frantic
from fright.
At this moment one of the wolves
jumped upon the deer's flank and was
promptly killed by the lieutenant, but
this kind of game could not last long, so
prepared to dismount some of our pur-
suers. Straddling the dashboard l pulled
my Lancaster, and every time a wolf
jumped for the deer shot at it and hit
hard or killed about seven. Just at this
moment as we were making progress IN
our defense our deer Hwho had hurt his
hip by his fall, came to stop and the
rear sled dashed into us. The collision
was frightful, tumbling and spilling us
all out, and the confusion was great.
called out to the driver to save the deer
as we were instantly surrounded by the
maddened, beautifully furred wolves
Deer, drivers, wolves and we travellers
were soon in terrific melee for life.
The officers fired their rifles with ;drnl-
rable precision and rapidity, and owing
to the smokeless gunpowder we CO Md
see well for hits.
Lieutenant Bjornstan wrapped rob,' g
about Miss Cory and Mrs. Wilson and
placed them between us-we with our
backs toward them. threw blanket
over my left shoulder, using it as a
shield. My Lancaster in forty-eight
rapid shots did not miss fire once. l
killed eighteen wolves, but my left leg
is frightfully lacerated, having been
caught by two of the wolves. The ship
doctor, however, assures me need not
fear hydrophobia. He feels confident
in his opinion, but, as own the leg, am
correspondingly doubtful Miss Cory
was caught on the horns of one of the
deer, and would have been instantly
killed had I not promptly shot the deer.
Morton fought like true American,
but his pistol clogged after the seventh
shot, and he was forced to use one of the
sled runners. Just as 1 began to despair,
all at once the wolEes-that is, those
that were alive-ran away as fast as
they had come.
Lieutenant Bjornstar fought gallant
ly, and twice pulled Mrs. Wilson from
the savage hold of the animals. Miss
Elsa Chamberlain sustained a great
mental shock, but Morton accomplished
wonders in her restoration. We lost two
guides, one driver and three deer, but
through assistance from the Laps have
returned to the ship and are in a fair
way in body and mind.-Sportsman's
Raviaxy