I have very little to say in favour of wolves. They are generally as
cowardly in their adversity as they are savage when at liberty. I give
you the following story, however, which I believe to be true.
An English sportsman had been hunting during the winter in Hungary. He
was returning in a sleigh one evening to the village where he was to
remain for the night, the peasant owning the sleigh sitting behind, and
a boy driving. As they passed the corner of a wood, a wolf was seen to
rush out of it and give chase. The peasant shouted to the boy, "A wolf,
a wolf! Drive on, drive on!" Obeying the order, with whip and shout
the boy urged the horses to full speed. One glance round showed him the
savage animal close behind. The wolf was gaining upon them fast. The
village was scarcely two hundred yards off! The owner, however, saw
that the wolf would be upon them before they could reach it.
Frantically they shouted, pursuing their impetuous career.
Taking another glance behind him, the peasant saw the fierce, panting
beast about to make his fatal spring. A thought struck him. Seizing
the thick sheep-skin which covered the sleigh, he threw it over his
head. Scarcely had he done so when the wolf sprang upon his back, and
gripped hold of the skin. In an instant more it would have been torn
from him, when, raising both his hands, he grasped the wolf's head and
neck with all his strength, hugging him with an iron clutch to his
shoulders. "On--on!" he shouted to the almost paralysed driver. The
courageous fellow still holding his fierce assailant in a death-gripe,
the sleigh swept into the village. The inhabitants, hearing the shouts,
rushed forth from their huts, and seeing the perilous condition of their
friends, gave chase with axes in their hands. No sooner had the boy
slackened the speed of his horses, than the men rushed at the savage
animal, still held captive, and quickly despatched it. Not without
difficulty, however, could the brave peasant, after the exertion he had
undergone, loosen his arms from the neck of the wolf.