chap. x. A PLUCKY BUCK. 245 



tracked a herd of deer into a large detached piece of 

 cover, and, sending the beaters round to the opposite 

 side, I posted myself with the greyhounds in the slips 

 behind a clump of trees, upon a small plain of low, 

 soft grass. 



The noise of the beaters approached nearer and 

 nearer, and presently two splendid bucks with beauti- 

 ful antlers rushed from the jungle about two hundred 

 yards from me, and scudded over the plain. I slipped 

 the greyhounds, and away they went in full fly, bound- 

 ing over the soft turf in grand style. 



Mounting old Jack, who was standing at my elbow, 

 and giving him the spur, I rode after them. It was a 

 splendid course ; the two bucks separated, Bran and 

 Lena taking after one, and Killbuck following the other 

 in his usual dashing manner. Away they went with 

 wonderful speed, the bucks constantly doubling to 

 throw the dogs out ; but Killbuck never overshot his 

 game, and as the buck doubled, he was round after him 

 in fine style. I now followed him, leaving Bran and 

 Lena to do their best, and at a killing pace we crossed 

 the plain — through a narrow belt of trees, down a 

 stony hollow, over another plain, through a small 

 jungle, on entering which Killbuck was within a few 

 yards of the buck's haunches. 



Now, old Jack is as fond of the sport as I am, and 

 he kept up the chase in good style ; but just as we 

 were flying through some high lemon grass, a fallen 



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