Elk titrned to Bay. 39 



comes with a fierce rush. Avoid him as you best can, 

 ye hunters, man and hounds ! 



Down the river the buck now swims, sometimes gal- 

 loping over the shallows, sometimes wading shoulder- 

 deep, sometimes swimming through the deep pools. 

 Now he dashes down the fierce rapids and leaps the 

 opposing rocks between which the torrent rushes at a 

 frightful pace. The hounds are after him ; the roaring 

 of the water joins in their wild chorus ; the loud holloa 

 of the huntsman is heard above every sound as he 

 cheers the pack on. He runs along the bank of the 

 river, and again the enraged buck turns to bay. He 

 has this time taken a strong position : he stands in a 

 swift rapid about two feet deep ; his thin legs cleave 

 the stream as it rushes past, and every hound is swept 

 away as he attempts to stem the current. He is a 

 perfect picture : his nostrils are distended, his mane is 

 bristled up, his eyes flash, and he adds his loud bark 

 of defiance to the din around him. The hounds can- 

 not touch him. Now for the huntsman's part : he calls 

 the stanchest seizers to his side, gives them a cheer on 

 and steps into the torrent, knife in hand. Quick as 

 lightning the buck springs to the attack ; but he has 

 exposed himself, and at that moment the tall lurchers 

 are upon his ears ; the huntsman leaps upon one side 

 and plunges the knife behind his shoulder. A tre- 

 mendous struggle takes place — the whole pack is upon 

 him ; still his dying efforts almost free him from their 

 hold : a mass of spray envelops the whole scene. 

 Suddenly he falls — he dies — it is all over. The hounds 

 are called off, and are carefully examined for wounds. 



The huntsman is now perhaps some miles from home ; 

 he, therefore, cuts a long pole, and tying a large bunch 



