THE TERRIBLE. 



embers, and blew up a bright flame, which sent 

 its red glare far around, disclosing the pack with 

 ears and tails erect, and flashing eyes. At a sig- 

 nal, five rifles and a double-barrel poured in a 

 volley with deadly effect, as the horrible howling 

 revealed. Snarling and shrieking, the pack drew 

 off, but the Kalmucks declared they would return. 



Soon the terror of the horses announced the re- 

 approach of the marauders, and they could be 

 heard stealing round between the encampment 

 and the lake, dividing into two packs, so as to 

 approach on opposite sides. Presently the glare 

 of their eyeballs was seen, and their grizzly forms 

 pushing one another on. Again the bullets sped, 

 and the shrieking packs again retreated, but only 

 to keep watch at a little distance. 



The night now grew very dark, and all the fuel 

 was exhausted. Presently, a distant howling an- 

 nounced the approach of a new pack, on whose 

 arrival the old ones, which had been silently bid- 

 ing their time, began to manifest their presence by 

 jealous growls, which soon gave way to a general 

 fight among themselves. Some of the men now, 

 well armed, crept along the margin of the lake to 

 collect more fuel, which was then placed on the 

 fire. The flame was blown up, and a group of 

 eight or ten wolves was seen within fifteen paces, 

 with others beyond. The rifles once more cracked, 

 and the packs with a frightful howl scampered 

 off. 



In the morning eight wolves were lying dead, 

 and the bloody tracks shewed that many others 

 had carried away mortal wounds, the reminis- 

 cences of this fearful night. 



The brown bear of Europe is of formidable 

 strength, and sufficiently bold occasionally to be 

 a serious antagonist, as numerous adventures of 

 231 



