Wolf-Hunting in Russia 



and green uniformed huntsmen, beaters, driv- 

 ers and ourselves were ready, and the motley 

 train moved away amid the uttered and unut- 

 tered benedictions of the families and relatives 

 of the parting hunt. 



Our first destination was Peschalkino, in the 

 government of Tver, near the River Leet, a 

 tributary of the Volga, not far from the site of 

 the first considerable check of the Mongolian 

 advance about 1230. I mention this fact in 

 passing to give some idea of the terrahi, be- 

 cause I think that it is evident to anyone who 

 has visited this region that the difficulty of 

 provisioning and of transportation in these 

 marshes must have offered a greater obstacle 

 to an invading army than did the then defend- 

 ers of their country. 



We passed our time most agreeably in play- 

 ing vint* and talking of hunting incidents along 

 the route. Many interesting things were told 

 about the habits of wolves and other game, and, 

 as they were vouched for by two thorough gen- 

 tlemen and superb sportsmen, and were veri- 

 fied as far as a month's experience in the field 

 would permit, I feel authorized to cite them 

 as facts, 



* Vint — game of cards resembling whist, boaston znA pr/f&ence. 



