18 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



Some others of the company now came up, to whom the 

 major consigned Pompey and his young charge to con- 

 duct home, while we again pursued our course. 



It had been settled that, when the line of the hunt 

 had reached a certain point, for fear of danger, all firing 

 should cease. We were now within sight of the lake. 

 Its surface, which was white with snow, was crowded 

 with the frightened animals, huddled together in a 

 group, or rushing backward and forward, endeavoring 

 to find a point in the line through which to make their 

 escape. But the hunters were so numerous that there 

 was not, at this time, an opening of a yard wide to be 

 discovered. It was now about 11 o'clock, the sun was 

 shining very brightly ; and as the animals flew about the 

 surface of the ice, the snow, tossed up by their feet, 

 sparkled like diamonds. It was a glorious sight to see 

 the line gradually forming upon the edge of the lake 

 the barrels of their rifles reflecting the sunbeams, and 

 almost all arrayed in hunting-shirts, with knives fast- 

 ened to their belts. There were at least two hun- 

 dred and fifty animals, of all kinds, assembled within 

 the enclosure wolves, foxes, deer, bears, and wild cats 

 in abundance. A few of the best hunters were selected 

 to destroy the game. The dogs were called in and fast- 

 ened, and they proceeded to the work of death. Taking 

 stations as near as possible to the group in the centre, 

 the firing commenced. Every shot told, and as the ani- 

 mals fell, the hills around reverberated with the shouts 

 of the joyous hunters. At length the frightened beasts 

 grew furious ; they flew around m all directions, but the 

 line was too formidable for them to break through it, 



