NIGHT ASSAULT OF WOLVES. 243 



vigour, tlie situation of himself and his party of Kahnucks, 

 when surrounded by wolves in Mongolia. They were en- 

 camped for the night on the open steppe on the banks of 

 a little lake, when suddenly the howling of the terril^le 

 wolves was heard at a distance. The men quickly col- 

 lected the horses, and prej)ared to receive the assailants. 

 The fire was nearly out, but it was thought best to allow 

 them to approach, and then by a little fresh fuel obtain 

 lic-ht enoudi for a fair shot. It was not lonoj before the 

 padding of their many feet was heard as they galloped 

 towards the party, and presently a savage howl arose. 

 The men threw some dry bushes on the embers, and 

 blew up a bright flame, which sent its red glare far 

 around, disclosing the pack with ears and tails erect, and 

 flashing eyes. At a signal, five rifles and a double-barrel 

 poured in a volley with deadly efiect, as the horrible 

 howling revealed. Snarling and shrieking, the pack drew 

 off, but the Kalmucks declared they would return. 



Soon the terror of the horses announced the re-approach 

 of the marauders, and they could be heard stealing round 

 between the encampment and the lake, dividing into two 

 packs, so as to approach on opposite sides. Presently 

 the glare of their eyeballs was seen, and their grizzly 

 forms pushing one another on. Again the bullets sped, 

 and the shrieking packs again retreated, but only to keep 

 watch at a little distance. 



The night now grew very dark, and all the fuel was 

 exhausted. Presently, a distant howling announced the 

 approach of a new pack, on whose arrival the old ones, 



