THE BLACK-TAILED AND VIRGINIA DEER. 351 



did not feel much in the mood for running. On resuming 

 our march, two fawns were started, and the hounds went in 

 full cry after one ; but the second, having scented us, dash- 

 ed for a fern-brake close by and concealed itself there. We 

 beat it up in a short time, however, and it was tumbled 

 over by one of the party with his first barrel. 



The dogs having run their quarry to water, rejoined us, 

 and they were given over to another huntsman, who was 

 requested to go as high up on the wooded hills as he could 

 and beat downward, so that the deer might be driven to 

 the river at once ; and as soon as he started for his desti- 

 nation the party deployed in various directions, and each 

 took position on a promising run-way. 



We had scarcely taken our stands, however, before the 

 rain began to pour down in torrents; and this necessi- 

 tated our taking shelter under some of the huge firs whoso 

 soughing tones and gloomy hues accorded so well with 

 the bluish -black rain and heavy, murky sky. All living 

 objects in nature seemed hushed into silence except the 

 trees; for even the chattering squirrels sought their cosy 

 retreats, and remained there in mute repose. I waited an 

 hour or more in my shelter without hearing any sound 

 save the melancholy sighing of the acerose foliage and 

 the loud patter of the downpour, and was becoming moody 

 myself out of sympathy with the gloom that reigned all 

 round, when I was fairly startled into an excited condition 

 by hearing a loud snort or whistle a few feet away. On 

 looking for its cause, I noticed a proud black-tail stag gaz- 

 ing intently at me with the greatest curiosity, and expand- 

 ing his wide nostrils as if trying to judge by those sensitive 

 organs to what species of the animal world I belonged, 

 and whether I was friend or foe. I permitted him to 

 stare for a few moments, then brought the gun to my 

 shoulder ; but I had scarcely moved my arm before he was 

 off. I fired at him as he was disappearing in the under- 

 growth, giving him both barrels in rapid succession ; and 

 when I went to seek him, I found him lying dead within 

 one or two hundred yards of where he had vanished from 



