424 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



the pack at bay upon our right. The sound was unmistakable, 

 although the dogs were evidently so weary that they only barked 

 at intervals. However faint, the bay was positive, and the sound 

 acted upon our spirits like oil on a dying flame. Away we went 

 across the patina, utterly regardless of the deep holes and bogs. 

 Bran and Lucifer, shooting ahead, piloted us at a tremendous pace 

 towards the wished-for spot. Suddenly away went my horse Jack, 

 right upon his head in a soft bog, and at the same instant Homus 

 was likewise inverted by the same cause, both riders sprawling 

 upon the muddy patina. Gathering up the pieces, and helping 

 the horses to terra firma, we were quickly in the saddles, and on 

 gaining some rising ground we saw the hounds a quarter of a 

 mile distant on the bank of the river ; some were standing, some 

 sitting, and others lying down, and occasionally barking at a 

 splendid stag who stood facing them close to the bank, shoulder- 

 deep in the running stream. 



" We were soon up. At the well-known halloo the tired dogs 

 sprang from the ground, and burst into a tremendous bay, when 

 they saw the welcome aid now hurrying to the front. The stag, 

 refreshed by his cool bath, without waiting for an attack, sprang 

 nimbly up the bank, charged through the pack, striking down 

 every opposing hound, and at full speed started away up the 

 gently sloping patina towards the jungle. 



" The dogs were not to be beaten. Lena was fresh, and the 

 eager bitch pressed him in such good form that she was within 6 

 paces of his haunches when he disappeared within the jungle. 

 Bran and Lucifer were closely waiting on her, and the following 

 pack some fifty paces in the rear. 



" The forest was open, and the thick fringe of ferns and under- 

 wood was soon cut into a lane as the dogs crashed through in hot 

 pursuit. . . . About five minutes passed ; during this time the 

 cry of the hounds became fainter and fainter, until at length the 

 sound died away entirely in the far distance. ... It was a 

 painful silence. 



" The water in the river, still muddy from the recent bay, and 

 the crushed underwood of the jungle, were the only visible signs 

 that the stag and hounds had so recently been near us. The game 

 had gone off so suddenly and rapidly that we could hardly believe 

 our senses. 



" It was impossible to say what direction the stag would take ; 

 he might go to ' Rest and be thankful,' or to the Barrack Plain ; 

 or he might go right off towards Pe'rewelli (8 miles distant in the 

 low country) ; one place was as likely as another. Certain it was, 



