New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
HOW HUNGER FEELS.
SENSATIONS OF FASTING ARCTIC EXPLORERS IN
cIclIr or MI,sK OXEN

SENSATIONS OF FASTING ARCTIC EXPLORERS IN
SIGHT OF MUSK OXEN
Lieutenant reary in The Windsor Magazine
7 wonder IL a single one Of my readers really
kl ows what hunger is. Henson and myself
were worn to the bore with scant rations ana
hard work. and that hard work had left the
little covering or bones in the shape OF lean,
tense muscles and wires Of sinew. The supper
from the hare that meal OF fresh, hot. luscious
meat the first adequate meal in nearly SIX num-
drcd miles of daily snow shocing, had wakeneo
every merciless hunger fang that during the
previous weeks had been gradually duled INTO
insensihility Ii had been the taste Of freshly
spilled blood TO the lOng-tamcd tiger; and now
the big black animals before were not game,
but meat, and every nerve and nbre III my Saunt
body was vibrating with q savage lust Tor that
meat-Ineat that should be soft and warm, meat
into which the teeth could sink and tear ana
rend. meat that would not blister lips ana
tongue with its frost. nor ring like rock against
the teeth Painting and quivering with excite
ment we lay for few moments. We could not
risk shot at that distance. ,
do you think they will come for u.s. said
Matt
cod knows. I hope so. boy for then we are
sure Of some Of them. Are you ready?
Yes, sir"
GONE on. then"
one Of US one side Of the big bowlder' the
other the other and dashed across the rocks
and snow straight toward them There was
snort and stamp from the big bull guarding the
herd and the next instant every animal was on
they were in close line with lowered heads and
horns | could have yelled for JOY if had had
he breath To spare. Every one Of us has read
some OF the thrilling stories Of travellers in the
Russian forests. chased 10y hungry wolves. ana
our feelings have been wrought up To the hiSh-
est MITCH Of sympathy for the poor fellows IN
their efforts to escape. But did any or US ever
stop to think how those other poor fellows, TIE
wolves felt with their empty stomachs? Know
now what their feelings are. and my sympathles
are with the wolves. ! was wolf mysef at
that moment -,
We were within less than fifty yards OF the
herd whom the big bull. with quick motion,
lowered his horns still more. Instinct Provl-
dence cell it what, YOU will. told me II was the
signal for the herd t. charge. Without siackeh-
ing my pace 1 pulled my Winchester 10 my
shoulder and sent n bullet at the back OF MS
mock over the white. impervious shield or IN.
yreat horns Heart. and soul. and brain. ana
eyes went with that singing bullet. felt that
7 was strong enough. and hungry enough ana
wolf enough that had the bull been atone !
could have. sprung upon him barehAnd"a ana
torn tho lifcbl1cd from his throat But against
th. entire h. ri we would have been powerIess'
once the black avalanche had gained momentum
we would have been crushed by II hke the
crunching snow crystals under our feet AS 'he
bull fen upon his knees the herd waveren
cou- half TUNED and as Mats rife cracked,
fell with a bullet back of her fore shouldeF-
without raising my rifle above my hp5' an
other one dropped Then another for Matt: theh
M herd broke and We hurried In pursuit