x68 HUNTING TRIPS 



ahead, started up by one of the greyhounds ; 

 the rest of the party closed in from all 

 sides ; dogs and men choosing each the bird 

 they marked as theirs. The turkey, after 

 towering a bit, with wings set struck off 

 at a pace like a bullet, and with eyes fixed 

 upwards the hounds coursed after him. It 

 was whip and spur for a mile as hard as 

 horse, man, and hound could make the pace. 

 The turkey at last came down nearer and 

 nearer the ground, its small wings refusing 

 to bear the weight of the heavy body. 

 Finally, down he came and began running ; 

 then the hounds closed in on him and 

 forced him up again as is always the case. 

 The second flight was not a strong one, and 

 soon he was skimming ten or even a less 

 number of feet from the ground. Now 

 came the sport of it all; the hounds were 

 bunched and running like a pack behind 

 him. Suddenly old ' Grimbeard/ in the 

 heart of the pack, thought it was time for 

 the supreme effort; with a rush he went 

 to the front, and as a mighty spring carried 



