THE KOMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



covered that she was pursued by these gaunt foes 

 in full pack. She immediately put the horse into 

 a gallop, and drove towards her home, from 

 which she was not far distant, with all possible 

 speed. All, however, would not avail, for the 

 ferocious animals gained upon her, and at last 

 were on the point of rushing on the sledge. For 

 the preservation of her own life, and that of the 

 remaining children, the poor frantic creature now 

 took one of the babes and cast it a prey to her 

 bloodthirsty pursuers. This stopped their career 

 for a moment, but, after devouring the little inno- 

 cent, they renewed their pursuit, and a second 

 time came up with the vehicle. The mother, 

 driven to desperation, resorted to the same hor- 

 rible expedient, and threw her ferocious assailants 

 another of her offspring. To cut short this melan- 

 choly story, her third child was sacrificed in a 

 similar manner. Soon after this the wretched 

 being, whose feelings may more easily be con- 

 ceived than described, reached her home in safety. 

 Mr. Atkinson has sketched,* with his usual 

 graphic vigour, the situation of himself and his 

 party of Kalmucks, when surrounded by wolves 

 in Mongolia. They were encamped for the night 

 on the open steppe on the banks of a little lake, 

 when suddenly the howling of the terrible wolves 

 was heard at a distance. The men quickly col- 

 lected the horses, and prepared to receive the 

 assailants. The fire was nearly out, but it was 

 thought best to allow them to approach, and 

 then by a little fresh fuel obtain light enough for 

 a fair shot. It was not long before the padding 

 of their many feet was heard as they galloped 

 towards the party, and presently a savage howl 

 arose. The men threw some dry bushes on the 

 * "Siberia," p. 461. 

 230 



