182 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



The hounds were cast off, and with their noses high in 

 air coursed into the underbrush, and with yelp and cry 

 the boisterous crew of coon-dogs and half-breeds rushed 

 in their wake, while the negroes, each armed with a big 

 cudgel and a heavy knife, with which to clear the vines, 

 dashed off, yelping very much after the manner of their 

 dogs, cheering on their particular favorites with endear- 

 ing cries, and all were soon scattered out of sight in the 

 dense undergrowth that succeeded the sandy ridges 

 and level grass of the coast. From time to time, we 

 could hear their shouting, and the crashing that was 

 caused by their progress, and when within sound, many 

 a rough joke and laugh came down the line. 



I was nearest the inner channel, and within sight of 

 the beach. Jackson was next to me, then Mike and the 

 negroes all beyond. At first we could not see each 

 other except at mtervals where the woods opened, but 

 as we advanced we came into a less tangled ground, and 

 we could maintain a connected vision entirely across 

 froni one to another. 



" Thar's deer," said Jackson, as we crossed the fresh 

 tracks of one. " And thar's Beauty," continued he ; 

 " do you hear her ?" 



"No, I cannot tell one from another; they are all 

 yelping, each on a different track." 



A loud burst of voices from the negroes proclaimed 

 something started. 



" What's that, Mike ?" 



" Coon," answered Mike. 



