“The first cry from the pig awoke an answering howl in a dozen directions. The horses sprang as if struck with a heavy hand, and I felt my blood chill at the dismal sound. 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. 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. 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.’
“Not only behind and on either side but away to the front, I could see their dark forms. We fired and loaded and fired again, every shot telling but not availing to stop the pursuit.
“The driver did not need Kanchin’s shout of ‘poshol!’ and the horses exerted every nerve without being urged. But with all our speed we could not outstrip the wolves that grew every moment more numerous. If we could only keep up our pace we might escape, but should a horse stumble, the harness give way, or the sledge overturn, we were hopelessly lost. We threw away our furs and cloaks keeping only our arms and ammunition. The wolves hardly paused over these things but steadily adhered to the pursuit.
“Suddenly I thought of a new danger that menaced us. I grasped Kanchin’s arm and asked how we could turn the corner into the main road. Should we attempt it at full speed the sledge would be overturned. If we slackened our pace the wolves would be upon us.