Wolf-Hunting in Russia 



ened by a man with a gun loaded with buck- 

 shot. The latter had instructions not to fire 

 upon a wolf younger than two years, and not 

 even upon an older one, until it was manifest 

 that the barzois and their holder were unequal 

 to the task. 



My post was a good one, and my three dogs 

 were apparently keen for anything. At the 

 slightest noise they were ready to drag me off 

 my feet through the marsh. Thanks to the 

 nagaika, I was able to keep them in hand. 

 One of the trio was well known for his grit in 

 attacking wolves, the second was considered 

 fair, while the third, a most promising two- 

 year-old, was on his first wolf-hunt. Sup- 

 ported by these three dogs, the long knife of 

 the gentleman looking for young wolves and 

 the yellow cuirassier officer with his shotgun, I 

 longed for some beast that would give a strug- 

 gle. The peasants accompanying us were 

 posted out on each flank of our line, extending 

 it until the extremities must have been sepa- 

 rated by nearly two miles. 



The signal was given, and hunters, peasants 

 and hounds rushed into the woods. Almost 

 instantly we heard the screams and yells of 

 the nearest peasants, and in a short time the 



X83 



