S66 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



it, and causing both to fall heavily to the ground. 

 Her shrieks, as well as the cry of the horse in his 

 death agony, rang through their ears for a moment, 

 and then all was still. They anxiously looked back, 

 and found that this desperate expedient had enabled 

 them to gain a considerable distance on their pur- 

 suers, but it was not for long ; they were soon again 

 on their heels, when a Eussian soldier was sacrificed 

 by shooting his horse ; a second, third, and fourth 

 followed, and much time was gained and a consider- 

 able distance covered : still their insatiable foes 

 pressed on, apparently more ferocious than before, 

 for their appetite was whetted with the taste of blood. 

 They now commenced discharging their firearms 

 amongst them, but it was of no avail, for although 

 many fell, the rest rushed on, and the course of the 

 horde was not stayed. The horses of two of their 

 number now gave up, and fell with shrieks that told 

 they knew the fate that awaited them ; and although 

 their riders were swift of foot, they could not keep 

 up their speed for any length of time in the deep 

 snow, and soon became fatigued, so bidding their 

 comrades farewell, they resigned themselves to their 

 " kismet," (destiny,) drew their yatagans, and shout- 

 ing their battle-cry, died like men, fighting to the 

 last. The survivors were now within a couple of 

 miles from shelter,' but their horses were almost worn 

 out, the leading wolves hardly a pistol-shot behind, 

 and gaining upon them rapidly — another moment, 

 and they expected to feel their fangs, when an old 



