The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-21
A wHERLMAN's ADVENTURE.
Chased BY Wolves Bioyclist ia Saved
BY Herd of Elk.
a. To,u,s no1aSf.

BTOFH tHo pts OuNcS G0Ncbtos
Fred Whishaw gives In Land and
Water an account Of his being chased by
wolves in the DISTRICT of Pskoff. He had
gone to Russia with bicycle, and at tho
time he fell in with the wolves was on his
machine, having covered a distance Of some
twelve miles in an indeavor to "head" some
elk.
1 had (he says ridden but a mile or two
on the return journey when it struck me
that ought TO aliRht and refresh my ma
chine with a few drops of oil; but hardly
was | on foot than, happening to glance
back along the road, saw something which
at first sight caused a thrill of pleasurable
excitement, but soon gave place to very
different sensations Hardly a quarter OF a
mile behind, and coming toward me at the
long Rallop which covers the ground at a
wonderfully rapid pace. were five large
gray wolves. l saw the leader raise his
nose, and, catching sight Of me, cock his
ears and give tongue, just as q dog might.
There was no DOUBT about the fact;
was being hunted. / was speedily up
and away, and as / caused the pedals
to whirl in manner to which they were
entirely unused, tried to calculate ooolly
the probable relative swiftness OF bicycles
and wolves. had at least ten miles TO 90
before should reach safety. might pos
sibly do that in three quarters OF an hour,
II the machine ana my breath held out.
Gould the wolves accomplish the distance In
less timea The situation was by no means
QUE of trifling. When had ridden couple
of miles or so vsntured to glance back, the
result being the instantaneous conviction
that wolves can travel faster than bicycle.
The brutes had gained upon me. They had
gained 100 yards at least AT this rate
quickly calculated they would pull me down
lust about two miles before / could reach
my destination and city Of refuge, Lavrik;
unless, indeed, they could not keep up the
pace, which battered myself was rather
hot.
Another two miles and another peep be-
hind me. The wolves were barely 200
Yards away now, and coming along as
though they enjoyed IL. could swear
that the leading wolf licked his lips as he
saw me look around. / tried a squirt. The
road was as level as billiard table. and l
strained every nerve TO the utmost. But
even as did so il was borne in upon me
that squirting would not do. / must slacken
off at once, for l could never keep UP the
terrific rate at which | was now travelling
In fact, i must economic all my staying
powers in order to last out the distance at
even my former rate of progression.
Then, suddenly, an idea occurred 10
me. 1 would ring my bell loudly and
continuously, and see what effect this
would produce. l pressed the gong, and
turned round TO observe whether the sound
would check my pursuers. The effect was
instantaneous. No sooner did the first clang
Of the gong ring out than the wolves-every
one Of them-stopped dead and disappeared
behind the trees. / gave yell Of defiance
aud delight, and dashed on, ringing away
for dear life. But my triumph was short
lived. On looking back a few moments
after found that my foes were again in full
pursuit. However, had gained little.
On we flew, my gong sounding harsh and
strident in the silence Of the forest. 1t was
magnificent; at least 1t would have been IL
it had not been 80 horribly dangerous.
There was rut trodden by horses running
all along the very middle OF the road. l
avoided this and rode at the side, which
was smooth, for the runners OF the light
sledges do not as a rule wear the snow. IL
was easy enough, of course, to avoid the
rut when riding straight ahead; but while
looking round there was the danger OF my
front wheel slipping into 1t, aud either
checking the way Of the machine or even
causing capsize. l had just turned
| my head to look round upon my
pursuers for the twentieth time
-alasI they were still gaining, and
we're now within fifty yards. Hearing a
! loud clatter In front Of ma. turned back