Wolf-Hunting in Russia 



third barzoi, on trial for qualifications as a 

 wolf-hound, did not render the least aid. 



Part of the fox-hounds were still running, 

 and there was yet chance that my excited dogs 

 might have their turn. We waited impatient- 

 ly until all sounds had died away and until the 

 beaters had reached our line, when further in- 

 dulgence of hope was useless. Besides the 

 above, the fox-hounds had caught and killed a 

 yearling in the woods ; and Colonel Dietz had 

 taken with his celebrated Malodiets, aided by 

 another dog, a two-year-old. What had be- 

 come of the other wolves and where were 

 most of the hounds? Without waiting to 

 solve these problems, we collected what we 

 could of our outfit and returned to Philipovo, 

 leaving the task of finding the dogs to the 

 whippers-in. The whys and wherefores of the 

 hunt were thoroughly discussed at dinner, and 

 it was agreed that most of the wolves had 

 passed to the rear between the beaters. It 

 was found out that the peasants, when a short 

 distance in the woods, had through fear formed 

 into squads instead of going singly or in pairs. 

 This did not, however, diminish the disappoint- 

 ment at not taking at least one of the old ones. 



The result of this drive logically brought up 

 185 



