Year: 1875

HurDert, nad accepted an invitation from


young nobleman to visit him at his frigid


northern home, where he promised him


among other inducements some excellent
winter hunting, the game being bears and
wolves The Russian was of noble family,
and enjoyed an immense estate covering
thousand of acres among the wilds of the
steppes. Within the spacious mansion all
was luxury and comfort, but outside the
long weary winters of the north were gloomy
enough.


1t was midwinter when the young Eng
glishman joined his Russian friend at his
home. The rigor Of the season was extreme
and for the first time in his life he realized
what the word winter really signiied. How
ever, when there is an abundance of pecuni-
ary means, comfort can be realized nearly
anywhere, and young Hurbert was never
more agreeably entertained than here in this
frgid spot. Every modern luxury and
means Of amusement were at hand, and his
friend, the Count Skarnski, was the best of
companions and good billiard player,
capital shot with pistol or rifle, and in
short highly accomplished man in all
games and sports of the day.


On clear, cold January day the two gen.
tlemen made their preparations fora hunting
excursion, and young Hurbert was some
what surprised to observe the very elaborate
arrangement which was entered into as it
regarded the supply of arms and ammunition.
Considering that there were but three per-
sons, himself and friend, and the driver of
the sleigh, he thought that the number of
double-barreled guns and revolvers, with the
stuff to put into them was singular.


There were six double-barreled guns and
as many revolvers, all loaded and laid hand
lily in the bottom of the vehicle, besides
each of the gentlemen carried a revolver in
a leather case at his waist, and a long hunt
ing knife. The driver also had pair of
pistols in his leather belt, as well as hunt
ing knife.


awe are moving arsenal" remarked the
Engishman, Pleasantly, as he regarded
these preparations


come in such close quarters that there is
little time for loading"


"Ah did not think of that"


at is the quick and sure hand only that
is safe where wild animals sometimes come
in large numbers"


"What will probably be our game to-
day?'


ave will try for bears


care they plenty?"


1T is not so easy to find them now as it
will be in the spring They keep slowed
away mostly all winter"


Two, large, handsome horses were har-
messed to the sleigh, both so full of life and
spirits as to require the whole attention of
their experienced driver, who remarked that
they would get some of the fire worked out
of them before the close of the day. At the
suggestion of the count, third horse, or
leader, making what is familiarly termed a
spike team, was added to the sleigh, as he
remarked that they might have long pull
of it. Thus equipped, with some luncheon
in a basket, and well covered with furs to
exclude the biting cold, the count and his
English friend started off on the hunt


They sought a somewhat famous locality
in well wooded neighborhood as the first
point of search, but finding no signs of game
here, they started for one still farther away,
but with like want of success Indeed, it
became pretty clear that bears were not
abroad, and that there was not much chance
of their getting sight of any. In the mean
time they had come a long distance, the day
was already drawing to close, and the
count gave the word TO turn the horses
toward home. The party paused, however,
to give the horses each four quarts of cracked
corn, and also to partake of their own lunch.
Half an hour suiliced for this, and, men and
) beasts refreshed, then commenced the home
ward trip.


! The sun had set, but the pale face of the
moon was creeping up into the sky, and
reflected from the shining surface of the
snow, all was as light as day.


"We shall probably knock over wolf or
two as the evening comes on" SAID the
4 count, "but | am sorry not to show you some
r larger game"


l Scarcely had the words left his mouth
: when a noise behind them attracted the at
e ten,ion of both, and turning they saw a
:, small pack of wolves, rendered desperate by
= hunger, pursuing the sleigh. They came
S nearer and nearer. As they were in so large


a number-twenty or more-the count told


the driver to keep up his speed, and he
would pick off one at a time, They were
: soon within reach, and, lifting one of the


guns, he fired each of the barrels, and two
% wolves dropped in their tracks.


% Then followed the singular scene which il
" instructive with these wild animals. Al
y soon as one is wounded and rendered help
'S less, his companions fall upon him anC
=! devour his body at once. These creatures
~ crazed with hunger, tore the carcasses t
W pieces in an incredibly short time, fighting
~ over the body to secure mouthful, an'
'e were soon rushing after the sleigh witt
~ renewed ferocity, excited by the taste O
IL blood The young Englishman soon trie


his hand and dropped three of the wolves a
80 two shots, one having evidently gone entirel
, through the body of an animal and entere
:, that of another before its impetus was lost.
~ The same scene was repeated which "
N have just described, but the pack had in
re creased by the addition of another score
=, animals, which had been attracted by tn
~ smell or noise of those already in the field
"A 1t began to look serious and the couI
To- remarked that he had no idea the woly,
- were in such numbers this season.
in They fired again, each time killing vol
II but that retarded the pursuers but for fe
"a moments-so many starving mouths devou
y ed the wounded creatures instantaneously.


In the meantime the horses were kept at
ry steady and lively gait, 1t would not answ
i to use them up by desperate dash of spec
nv tor If they were to give out, the travele