322 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPOETS. 



Full of hope, and animated with, the desire of 

 distinguishing myself, I pushed forward with re- 

 newed energy. At first the trail was tolerably clear, 

 but, after some time, it led and twisted in every 

 direction through innumerable hog paths. Never 

 was I so sorely puzzled to keep correct, but with per- 

 severance and care I managed to carry the track almost 

 across to clear ground, where I suddenly lost all signs, 

 and was completely brought to a stand-still. I was 

 aware that all dodges were practised, more particu- 

 larly when deer feel the effects of increasing weak- 

 ness and incapacity for further exertion; so, hoping 

 that fortune would favour me, I determined, like a 

 skilful foxhunter, to make a cast completely round the 

 disturbed ground. After the loss of twenty minutes I 

 fortunately again struck the trail, which, to my sur- 

 prise, led in a reverse direction ; clearly indicating that 

 the deer had retraced his steps probably in the same 

 track, and thus, by this cunning device, almost suc- 

 ceeded in eluding his pursuers. The trail of the animal 

 now became more irregular, and the tell-tale track of 

 the wounded limb greatly assisted me in distinguishing 

 his footsteps from those of his fellows, which on every 

 opportunity he selected; but, all having failed to 

 throw me off so far, the deer adopted a new ruse, 

 which under other circumstances would have been 



