Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-04-08
CHASED BY WOLVES.
BY II. c. DODGE.


During one of the coolest winters
ever known, / was in Russia, my
business obliging me to spend several
months in an outskirt village situated
on the bank of goodly sizcl but un-
navigablc river which, of course, was
frozen solid.
Having plenty Of spare time and
such splendid place to indulge in my
favoritC sport of sailing on the ice,
had made me fine ice boat, on which,
warmly clad in fur garments, took
frequent and long trips, sometimes
extending them far into the night
when the moon was bright enough.
Although was often warned by
tho peasants to avoid vcnturing too far
up tee river especially at night--on
account of tho wolves who inhabited
that wild region, paid little attention
TO their words, for. never having been
attacked by those savage creatures,
couldn't realize how dangerous they
were.
Neither did know that the Russian
wolves were at least twice as big and
mu;h more terrible in strength aud
/ fcrocity than those in this country,
which had always skulkcd away the few
times / had met them in our Western
States.
Late one clear and cold afternoon |
started out on my iccboat prepared
for longer trip than usual, for it was
full moon time | wanted TO sec the
grand mountain scenery some thirty
miles up the river and also the falls
there which | had been told were so
wonderfully beautiful in their winter
dress and in the moonlight.
The rivers solid surf face was in
most places smooth and the wind was
just right for fine sailing,
For fear | might meet somo wolves
which, l knew, or thought | did, that
my swift iccboat could easily distance
in case they followed, | wore brace
of big reviewers and small hatchet,
which last, however, | always took
with me.
Quickly | left the settlement far
behind and where the liver was
straight and wind favorable | flew
with lightuing's speed.
But where tho river twisted SO |
had 10 tack, or whore the ice was
humpy, or where the tall fir trco OH
the silent, snow-covcrcd banks kept
of the wind, l made slower progress.
The further | got up the river the
more bcwldcriug 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 tho weird
Russian landscape exceeded my Wild
est dreams of natures glory.
When the full moon arose from be-
hind the dark forest of frs, which
friDgcd the rivers edge and the colors
changed from fiery gold to siIvcry
white, ] was completely entranced.
The contrast between the glittcrs of
the moonbcams on the sparkling snow
and ice and the intense blackncss and
shadows of the gloomy woods charmed
me, and yet, in spite of my enthusi-
asm, it awcd me with its fearful sub
Unity.
Onward my iccboat flew till came
in sight of the falls ahead, then,
slac&ing my speed, l slowly and care
fully approached them.
In their center the dark waters
leapcd aud tumblcd. on either side
trees and rocks coated with gIistoning
ice and dazzling icices seemed like
a sugar Fairyland, while above hung
a misty cloud ofspray in which floatcd
a lunar rainbow.
know not how lcng I would have
gently glidcd to and fro lost in ad-
miration of the majestic scene of
spiendor had | not been startled by u
distant howl apparently coming from
the depths of the dismal woods on my
right quickly followed by answering
howls from the other bank.
| knew from my little experience
willie hunting in the far West that the
sounds were from wolves and that
was discovered and, perhaps. soon 10
be chased by them.
| also knew that after a period of
intense cold weather they became so
ravenous from hunger that nothi ,g
except superior speed could overcome
their attacks.
Though | felt safe enough in my
iceboat which, try their hardest they
couldn't catch, thought it high time
to be oil, so pointing the bowsprit for
home started.
But the wind was against me and,
though | skinned swiftly over the
ice, my speed wasn't nearly so great
as when going with the brcezs, while
the tacks had TO make brought me
too close to the gloomy banks for
comfort in case the wolves became
numerous aud ycnlurseome.
ssss sy-s=aS sA-.s "