MALTREATS THE DOGS. 1 1 



two divisions ; but as the first division were unable to start a 

 hare, the second were also slipped from their couplings. I 

 directed Hampus to take the whole pack to a certain hill- 

 side ; but one of the number parted from the rest, and 

 kept hunting about the eminence on which I had posted 

 myself to wait the coming of Puss. Presently this dog 

 began to challenge in a very unusual manner ; and being 

 soon afterwards joined by the rest, they all went off toge- 

 ther in full cry. In a moment, however, the music came 

 to a stand-still, and was succeeded by sounds that gave unde- 

 niable evidence that a battle royal was going on. Supposing 

 that the hare was killed, I hastened to the spot. But when I 

 came to a morass, on which there were many prostrate trees 

 that impeded my progress, I jumped on to the top of a 

 large stone to see what was going on ; and I then saw 

 Hampus striking at something with his gun, which the 

 presence of the dogs prevented him from shooting. At the 

 same instant a huge lynx attempted to spring up into a 

 neighbouring tree ; but one of the dogs seized him by the 

 hind leg, and drew him down again, on which the beast cast 

 himself on to his back. A second dog now seized him by 

 the throat, and a third by the belly, which several attacks 

 soon put an end to the contest, and the lynx never moved 

 again. All the dogs were wounded; one especially was so 

 badly hurt, that it was needful to carry him to the boat. It 

 was a short but terrible combat." 



" During a hare-hunt," writes my friend M. Anders 

 Oterdahl famed not only as a sportsman, but for his 

 hospitality " when sixteen dogs were uncoupled, they 

 exchanged the hare for a lynx, which after some time was 

 brought to bay in a very close thicket. It so happened that 



