ADVENTURES OF CHAMOIS HUNTERS. 285 



marked this hunt, but the manner of it was remarkable. 

 At the distance of about a quarter of a mile around the 

 covert of the wolves, a circle was formed by the party, the 

 hunters and other armed persons filling about one half of 

 this circle, each man being about thirty yards distant 

 from another. The other half of the circle was formed 

 by the numerous party of beaters, whose duty it is in the 

 first place to advance slowly, beating the bushes, as they 

 move, for the purpose of driving any straggling wolves into 

 the centre. In the middle of the beaters, the head-hunter 

 took his station. All the persons engaged were on foot. 

 When the army of hunters was formed, the head-hunter 

 blew his horn as a signal. The beaters then advanced in 

 a close phalanx, which grew still closer, as they approached 

 the den of the wolves. Notwithstanding all their care, 

 however, three of the ferocious animals broke through 

 their ranks and escaped ; the other four of the pack, were 

 driven within reach of the armed men, and shot ; I, myself, 

 slaying a large one, as it dashed towards me. A chas- 

 seur now blew a horn, and the whole party assembled at the 

 original rendezvous. As each wolf was brought in, shouts 

 rent the air, and the successful hunters were received with 

 demonstrations of triumph." 



" While in Lithuania, I heard many stories of the large 

 black bear, which inhabits the Grand Forest. This ani- 

 mal is fierce, daring and powerful not equal, perhaps, to 



