194 A PARTY OF SIX. 



so, when we had satisfied an appetite whetted by the 

 keen air of the ocean, each hastened to select the tackle 

 which he thought would carry him best. 



"We started, six in number, preceded by as many 

 negroes holding the dogs in leash ; and after traversing 

 some five or six miles at a sharp trot, arrived at a clearing 

 in the forest where three roads met. There we were 

 joined by four other gentlemen, whose residences at 

 Eclisto were about two miles distant from the place of 

 rendezvous. 



One of them, an old hunter, had brought no gun ; for, 

 said he, " the deer is not really game, nor can it be 

 lawfully shot, except from July to December. I will 

 not therefore expend an ounce of powder upon any one of 

 them ; but I can't resist the pleasure of seeing the noble 

 beasts run, and the charm of your friendly company has 

 decided me to violate my vow never to hunt during 

 the close season."* And, be it said en passant, about 

 mid-day a stag dashed so close upon him as to tear his 

 boot with one of its antlers. The old planter contented 

 himself with dealing a volley of blows with his whip 

 upon the back and shoulders of the poor beast, which 

 disappeared in a thicket, where an unarmed hunter did 

 not think it prudent to pursue him. 



All six of us were armed with double-barrelled guns, 

 loaded with deershot, and each carried his weapon at his 

 saddle-bow. 



Mr. Dallif old's chief " whipper-in " was an old negro, 

 named Hector ; a queer, strange creature, whose wrinkled 

 face, and white frizzled hair and thick lower lip as red as a 



*For six months of the year, stag-hunting is forbidden by law in some of 

 the United States. 



