282 FRANK fork.sti-,il's fiei.d sports. 



same place, and in which they tnivel to and fro, invariably set- 

 ting their feet down in the old tracks. 



By observation of these facts, it is easy for a skilful guide t(< 

 conduct a j^arty to a ground selected over night, on which they 

 shall be nearly certain of finding great sport on the morrow. 



The camping is performed much as the same operation has 

 been described with regard to Moose and Cariboo hunting, on 

 page 233, except that here it is usual to build temporary shan- 

 ties of the wild cane, and thatch them with palmetto leaves, as 

 a d. fence against the heavy dews and occasional showers. 



^Vs soon as the brief but savory hunters' breakfast is con- 

 cluded, horses are saddled, weapons loaded, and the hounds 

 called together, the party proceed silently and calmly to the 

 place selected for the throwing off; and on reaching it, two or 

 three of tlie oldest and most experienced hunters dismount and 

 entering tbe cane-brake with the hounds, crawling through the 

 dense thicket, now half-erect, now stooping, now on their hands 

 and knees, lay them upon the trail of the animal, and endeavor 

 to drive him out to their comrades in the open forest without. 



Some of these, as soon as the hounds were thrown into the 

 brake, have hurried forward and taken up their stations along 

 the margin of the thickest covert, at distant intervals one from 

 the other, wherever, from the discovery of a path, or crossing 

 place, as it is termed, or from any other indications, they think 

 it likely the Bear may show himself; others continue in the 

 saddle on either hand of the brake, until the burst and crash of 

 tongues proclaim that the Bear is afoot, when they gallop for- 

 ward helter-skelter, endeavoring to get ahead of the hunt, when 

 they rush into the covert, and if they can head the quarry, often 

 succeed in killing him before he is brought to bay. If they 

 fail in this, or if the shot do not prove fatal, forward again is the 

 word, until the prolonged clamor of the pack now confined to a 

 single spot, and stationary, announces that the savage is at bay. 

 Thereon ensues a headlong and determined rush into the 

 thicket, in desperate but friendly rivalry of the hunters striving 

 who shall obtain the honor of the first blood, and the deatli. 



