Deer Hunt in Old Virginia 155 



of the pack — hero of many successful hunts, 

 with ears torn and body scarred, — appeared 

 just beyond the deer crossing, tail erect al- 

 most at right angles with his black-and-tan 

 body. Coming to a sudden stop, he began to 

 sniff the ground and wag his tail slowly, in- 

 dicating that he too had struck a cold trail, and 

 then he commenced to circle round and round 

 for more positive evidence of the whereabouts 

 of the game. As the investigation proceeded, 

 his tail began to gather motion, getting to 

 going faster and faster — the motion of the 

 tail telling with plainer tale than language 

 that the scent was getting stronger and 

 stronger, and a start would be made in a very 

 short time. After circling many times, old 

 Dan threw his nose up in the air, opened his 

 jaws, and let a bay out of him that made the 

 woods ring. The balance of the pack had ab- 

 solute confidence in old Dan's education and 

 training, and with renewed interest began 

 running hither and thither in a vain endeavor 

 to disclose the hiding place of the game. 

 Every dog was on his own mettle to make the 

 start. 



