246 BIG GAME FIELDS 



them to give vent to the trait that is naturally 

 born and bred in every hound. 



"Riders up!" ordered Hi, and we swung on 

 our horses. "Now all off together we can take 

 it on the run here," said he. "Go get him, boys." 



His horse reared and with a long jump 

 plunged into a run. Then I remembered he had 

 sharpened up his spur points the day before. 

 Notwithstanding our even start the pack soon had 

 a good lead over us. The bear was up and go- 

 ing, the pack close up, that we knew by Spot's 

 short barks, as he seldom gave tongue unless 

 indulging in his specialty, which was snapping 

 at the heels of any fleeing animal. This, as we 

 know, most bears cannot stand, and is usually the 

 means of holding them up long enough to get 

 in the shot. The bear had gained the top of the 

 ridge, and, although hampered as he was, con- 

 tinued at surprising speed along the top. Here 

 the going was comparatively good. Mounting 

 the top Hi said: "Let's have a real run now!" so 

 we went hard at it. We were coming up a little 

 now the pack swung into view, and soon we 

 caught sight of the bear, some seventy yards 

 ahead. 



"He's going to take down that little draw and 

 go off the other side of the hill," shouted Hi. 



