chap. xi. DEATH OF OLD SMUT: 269 



fast closing up, seeing which, the buck immediately 

 altered his course for the river, and took to water in a 

 deep pool. Down came old Smut after him, and in a 

 few moments there was a beautiful chorus, as the whole 

 pack had him at bay. 



The river went through a deep gorge, and I was 

 obliged to sit down and slide for about thirty yards, 

 checking a too rapid descent by holding on to the rank 

 grass. On arriving at the river, I could at first see 

 nothing for the high grass and bushes which grew upon 

 the bank, but the din of the bay was just below me- 

 Sliding through the tangled underwood, I dropped 

 into deep water, and found myself swimming about 

 with the buck and dogs around me. Smut and Bran 

 had him by the ears, and a thrust with the knife 

 finished him. 



However great the excitement may be during the 

 actual hunting, there is a degree of monotony in the 

 recital of so many scenes of the same character that 

 may be fatiguing : I shall therefore close the descrip- 

 tion of these mountain sports with the death of the 

 old hero Smut, and the loss of the best hound, Merri- 

 man, both of whom have left a blank in the pack not 

 easily filled. 



On October 16, 1852, I started with a very short 

 pack. Lucifer was left in the kennel lame ; Lena was 

 at home with her pups ; and several other dogs were 

 sick. Smut and Bran were the only two seizers out 



