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"It had been," said the gentleman who narrated the incident, "a severe winter in Vitebsk and Vilna. I had spent several weeks at the country residence of a friend in Vitebsk, and we heard, during the latter part of my stay, rumors of the unusual ferocity of the wolves. "One day Kanchin, my host, proposed a wolf-hunt.

My companion raised his eyes when his gun was ready and gave a start that thrilled me with horror. Ivan was immovable in his place, and holding with all his might upon the reins. "'Poshol! shouted Kanchin. "The howling grew more terrific. Whatever way we looked we could see the wolves emerging from the forest; "'With their long gallop, which can tire, The hounds' deep hate, the hunter's fire.

I woke an hour later and saw Kanchin pacing the floor in silence. Repeatedly I spoke to him but he answered only in monosyllables. "The next day, a party of peasants went to look for the remains of poor Ivan. A few shreds of clothing, and the cross he wore about his neck, were all the vestiges that could be found. For three weeks I lay ill with a fever and returned to St.

As I turned to re-load Kanchin raised his gun to shoot a wolf approaching the right of the sledge. His shot was successful, the wolf falling dead upon the snow. "I re-loaded very quickly, and when I looked up there were three wolves running toward me, while as many more were visible on Kanchin's side.

"We had a pig confined in a strong cage of ropes and withes, that he might last longer than if dragged by the legs. A rope ten feet long was attached to the cage and ready to be tied to the sledge. "We kept the pig in furs at the bottom of the sledge, and drove silently into the forest. The last order given by Kanchin was to open the gates of the courtyard and hang a bright lantern in front.

This done Kanchin clung to the left side of the sledge prepared to step upon its fender and counteract, if possible, our centrifugal force. "We approached the main road, and just as I discovered the open space at the crossing Kanchin shouted, "'Strike! "I whipped off the rope in an instant and we left our decoy behind us.

Eight or ten versts further Kanchin, in the same low tone, commanded 'Stoi. Without a word Ivan drew harder upon his reins, and we came to a halt. At a gesture from my friend the team was turned about. "Kanchin stepped carefully from the sledge and asked me to hand him the rope attached to the cage. He tied this to the rear cross-bar, and removing his cloak told me to do the same.

Petersburg immediately on my recovery. Kanchin has lived in seclusion ever since, and both of us were gray-haired within six months." Before the construction of the railway between Moscow and Nijne Novgorod there were forest guards at regular intervals to protect the road from bears and wolves. The men lived in huts placed upon scaffoldings fifteen or twenty feet high.

"The driver, Ivan, on learning the business before him, was evidently reluctant to go, but as a Russian servant has no choice beyond obeying his master, the man offered no objection. Three spirited horses were attached, and I heard Kanchin order that every part of the harness should be in the best condition.

The driver with great difficulty kept his team from breaking into a gallop. Five minutes later, a wolf came galloping from the forest on the left side where I sat. "'Don't fire till he is quite near, said Kanchin, 'we shall have no occasion to make long shots. "The wolf was distinctly visible on the clean snow, and I allowed him to approach within twenty yards. I fired, and he fell.