BAR AND DRUID. 317 



tiful prairie, beyond which, after a brisk gallop, I could 

 see we must reach another wooded creek. Sylph needed 

 but a shake of the rein to fly after them, and a prettier burst 

 was never seen. After surmounting a gradual rise in the 

 plains there was a very extensive slope in the land, so that 

 I could command a view of all that took place. Bar was, 

 at least, a mile ahead of Druid, and having come to a 

 check, he was casting to regain the line, his head down, 

 and questing in some longish grass. I guessed the doe 

 was down, and made all haste to get up within shot, 

 but before I could do so I saw her rise just at the moment, 

 when the only bush that grew near the spot intervened 

 between her and the eyes of Bar, or there would have 

 been an opportunity for the loveliest course ever seen, 

 and she gained the start of a minute or two before Bar 

 recovered the scent and again began to run. The check 

 let in Druid, who never hesitated, but started again 

 almost side by side with Bar ; the latter, however, again 

 drew considerably ahead, and held the lead for some 

 distance. Gradually, then, as the speed of the blood 

 hound held its own, Bar's began to fail, and the space 

 between them visibly diminished. In a short time they 

 were neck and neck, straining every nerve to my cheer, 

 as Sylph flew by their side, and then Druid took the lead, 

 which he increased at every stride, and this lasted till Bar 

 stood still, and George picked him up, while I kept 

 merrily on with the bloodhound. We had now had a 

 very good run of three quarters of an hour or there 

 abouts, when the chase turned from the open plains short 

 for another creek, and guessing that the deer would wait 

 for us I hastened up, but, alas ! the demon of ill-luck was 

 resolved that day^to thwart me, and I had to lie out of 

 my course to avoid a considerable swamp. By Druid's 



