158 A Hunt after Deer 



sweet music to the ears of the hunters, hut 

 causes the hunted to be filled with horror, as 

 fleeing for life he seeks some swamp or water 

 to throw the hounds off the trail; but if over- 

 taken before reaching a place of safety, 

 promptly the noble stag turns to bay and de- 

 fies his pursuers. What a sight then — head 

 erect, nostrils expanded, front foot raised, 

 ready to strike a powerful blow with his sharp 

 hoof! In the meantime the dogs are circling 

 around, watching an opportunity to close in 

 on the magnificent quarry; yet I have no 

 doubt the contest would be one-sided in favor 

 of the stag if it were not for the gun. The 

 excited barking and snarling of the dogs in- 

 forms the experienced hunter that the stag is 

 at bay and all hands make a bee-line over 

 rocks, trees, through water and swamps for 

 the scene of action when the contest comes to 

 its unequal close. No wonder many State 

 laws prohibit the running of deer with dogs. 



At the crossing it requires a good shot to 

 end the chase; standing on a crossing for the 

 critical moment is very trying and one is apt 

 to get " buck fever." On one occasion we 



