The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04
CHASED BY 4 PACK OF WOLTES.
A Bicyclist's Exciting Experience While
Riding in Russia.

Mr.. Fred Wishaw gives in Land and
Water an account Of his being chased by
wolves in the district Of Pskoff. He had
gone to Russia with a bicycle, and at the
time he fell in with the wolves was on
his machine, having covered a distance
OF some twelve miles in an endeavor 10
head" some elk.
had Che says ridden but mile or two
on the return journey. when it struck me
that / ought to alight and refresh my
machine with a few drops of oil; but
hardly was l on foot than, happening to
glance back along the road, | saw some
thing which at first sight caused thrill
of pleasurable excitement, but soon gave
place TO very different sensations. Hard
ly a quarter of a mile behind and com
ing towards me at the long gallop which
covers the ground at wonderfully rapid
pace were five large gray wolves. | saw
the leader raise his nose, and, catching
sight OF me, cock his ears and give
tongue, just az a dog might There was
no doubt about the fact; | was being
hunted. 1 was speedily up and away,
and as I caused the pedals to whirl in
a manner to which they were entirely I'M
used, / tried to calculate cOolly the pro-
bable relative swiftness Of bicycles and
wolves.
I had at least ten miles TO go before I
should reach safety. l might possibly do
that in three-quarters of an hour, If the
machine and my breath held oy. Could
the wolves accomplish the distance in less
time? The situation was by no means
one for trifing. When | had ridden a
couple of miles or so l ventured to glance
back. the result being the instantaneous
conviction that wolves can travel faster
than a bicycle. The brutes had gained
upon me. They had gained 100 yards at
least. At this rate, | quickly calculated,
they would pull me down just about two
miles before / could reach my destination
and city OF refuge, Lavrik; unless, indeed,
they could not keep up the pace which
I fiattered myself was rather hot
Another two miles and another peep
behind me. The wolves were barely 200
yards away now, and coming along as
though they enjoyed It. l could swear
that the leading wolf licked his lips as
he saw me look around / tried to squirt.
The road was as level as a billiard table.
and strained every nerve to the utmost
But even as | did so II was borne in upon
me that squirting would not do. | must
slacken off at once, for I could never
keep up the terrific rate at which / was
now travelling. In fact. must economize
all my staying powers in order 10 last
out the distance at even my former rate
OF progression. Then. suddenly, an idea
occurred 10 me.
| would ring my bell loudly and con-
tinuously. and see what effect this would
produce. pressed the gong. and turned
round 10 observe whether the sound would
check my pursuers. The effect was In
Simultaneous. No sooner did fhe first
clang of the gong ring out than the
woives-every one Of them-stopped dead
and disappeared behind the trees. / gave
a yell OF defiance and delight. and dashed
on. ringing away for dear life. But my
triumph was short-lived. on looking
back n few moments after found that
my foes were again in full pursuit. How
ever, I had gained little
On we flew. my gong sounding harsh
and strident In the silence of the forest.
II was magnificent; at least, II would
have been IF II had not been so horribly
dangerous There was a rut trodden by
horses running all along the very middle
az the road. avoided this ana sods At