The Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound. 299 



lodge at that date, and fine sport was promised. 

 ' Don't trouble to bring any weapons,' the letter ran, 

 ' for these are the dogs we have told you so much 

 about, and they are to do all the work. 



" Of course we all clamoured to be allowed to go, 

 and gained our point with our good-natured colonel. 

 As there were fifteen of us then on duty, it was 

 arranged that three parties of five should each take 

 three days off, for it took two days to go there and 

 back. My party got off first, and by riding all day 

 we reached the lodge before night. The cuirassiers 

 gave us the best of welcomes and a fine dinner, to 

 which the chasseur en chef was also invited. The 

 gentleman had for twenty years had charge of the 

 Czar's wolfhounds. 



" After dinner he ordered his men to bring in some 

 of the best dogs for our inspection. An attendant 

 dragged them in one at a time, not without some 

 trouble ; but as soon as they saw the chasseur they 

 became as quiet as lambs, and did anything he 

 ordered. He w^as very proud of them, and gave us 

 interesting details of their prowess. One huge 

 fellow, called Dimitri, had the repute of being able 

 to catch and hold the largest wolf single-handed, 

 and the chasseur promised to show him off to us the 

 next day. 



" As the coverts to be drawn were seven miles 



