Page:Tales of a Voyager to the Arctic Ocean, vol. 3 (1826).djvu/334

 the boarwolf growled and tore up the earth, as it fled before him. However, he gained upon it, and, only intent upon the accomplishment of his wishes, drew forth his short sword, to make a desperate attack, for he perceived by its agitation and furious howls that it would soon turn to bay. He was close at its heels, as it entered upon the sandy space in the centre of the level, and at the instant the monster turned and offered resistance, his horse fell dead close beside it. The boarwolf sprung upon Wolfgang, and ripped up his thigh with its tusk; but the huntsman, though writhing with pain, struck a tremendous blow at its brawny neck, which cleft the spine, and the head hung from its shoulders. Another blow severed it completely; but at that instant a dense smoke, mingled with flame, issued from the carcass, and the boarwolf was changed into that fiend-like being whom he had seen in that same place on the day before.

Wolfgang,”Wolfgang,’ [sic] it exclaimed to the terrified hunter, ‘thou hast cut off the head of the boarwolf; for twenty-four hours thou art mine—Aye, and for ever!—Be thou now a boarwolf!’