Rudolf Erich Raspe: Gulliver revived, London 1786 (R3)

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He carried me well—yet advancing into Russia, where travelling on horseback is rather unfashionable in winter; I submitted, as I always do, to the custom of the country, took a single horse sledge, and drove briskly on towards St. Petersburgh. I do not exactly recollect whether it was in Esthland or Jugemanland, but I remember that in the midst of a dreary forest, somewhere thereabouts, I spied a terrible wolf making after me, with all the speed of ravenous winter hunger. He soon overtook me. There was no possibility of escape. Mechanically I laid myself down flat in the sledge, and let my horse run for our safety. What I apprehended, but hardly hoped or expected, happened immediately after. The wolf did not mind me in the least, but took a leap over me, and falling furiously on the horse, begun instantly to tear and devour the hind part of the poor animal, which ran the faster for his pain and terror. Thus unnoticed and safe myself, I lifted my head slily up, and with horror I beheld that the wolf had ate his way into the horseʼs body. It was not long before he had fairly forced himself into it; then I took my advantage, fell upon him with the but-end of my whip. This unexpected attack in his rear, frightened him much; he leaped forward with all his might; the horseʼs carcase dropt to the ground; but in his place the wolf was in the harness, and I, on my part, whipping him continually, we both arrived, in full career, safe at St. Petersburgh, contrary to our respective expectations, and very much to the astonishment of the beholders.

R3, S. 9-12

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