184: PIONEER LIFE; OB, 



their old haunts. This disposition to fly in danger 

 to their accustomed place, is always shown by them, 

 whether in a wild or domesticated state. I knew a 

 tame buck to disappear from its owner, and nothing 

 was heard of it for some time. At length it returned 

 one night, very weary, but with its bell on, just as 

 when it went away. It had taken up its quarters at 

 a farm fifteen miles distant, where it remained con- 

 tented until attacked by dogs. From the last of 

 June until September, deer are light and in good 

 condition for running, and at this season they are 

 not easily run down. When driven to the water by 

 dogs at this time they will cross and run a long time 

 on the opposite side. By the last of October they 

 are very fat, taking immediately to the water when 

 pursued, and do not cross it, but run either up or 

 down a mile or two, so that the dogs lose their scent, 

 and then leaving the water lie down at a short dis- 

 tance, keeping a keen watch for their pursuers. I 

 always found it desirable to have a man and dog at 

 the water to watch for the deer, and with a good 

 dog they seldom escaped. A deer will not mate 

 with any other animal than one of its own species. 

 If one is placed when young, in company with a 

 calf, lamb, or any other animal, it will not, as might 

 be expected, form an attachment for it. The bucks 

 are very quarrelsome, and during the running season 

 desperate conflicts often ensue between them, result- 

 ing sometimes in the death of both the belligerents. 

 I have often found two of them lying dead, at the 

 season I have mentioned, each bearing fatal marks 



