VIRGINIAN DEER. 143 



much hurt, and on regaining his footing, with his 

 rifle in his hand, he had fired at the deer at ten 

 yards' distance, and had bowled it over. 



"When okl Hector came up, he kissed the poor 

 horse, and declaimed its funeral oration ; but Mr. 

 Dallifokl soon reheved him of this untimely sensi- 

 biUty by ordering him to seek another scent. Two 

 fi-iends of the dismounted hunter offered to keep 

 him company until the arrival of the blacks to carry 

 off the game and the saddle and bridle of the horse. 

 The rest of us pursued om* chase towards the centre 

 of the forest, Avhere the underwood was so thick 

 that we could scarcely see the rays of the sun. Axe 

 had never touched these giants of the greenwood, 

 and if Robin Hood had ever visited America, he 

 could have desired no better retreat for himself and 

 his bold band. 



Hector led the way, and at length cried a halt. 

 He was searching for a slot, and whilst the dogs 

 were drawing, we profited by the opportunity to 

 lunch. Capital cold meats and some excellent 

 claret soon restored both our strength and our good 

 humour. 



" Mount, gentlemen," cried Mr. DalUfold, " Hector 

 and his dogs have got another deer." 



Sure enough, our feet were scarcely in the stirrups 

 when a herd of six does and a stag passed within 

 twenty yards in front of us, followed close by the 

 entire pack, aU in full cry. There were seven of us, 



