THE BATTUE ON BONDA KEY. 121 



started from her form, and only following her a few steps to pursue 

 their researches in another cover. 



Slowly we progressed, and after about two hours of labour had 

 come down one half of the island, and had drawn so near together 

 we could see each other. On calling down the line we had 

 reported two deer as having been seen, and " some coon," with such 

 a strong accent on the some, that we were inclined to think that 

 this particular game was very plentiful. Indeed, Scipio was seen 

 with two hanging to his girdle. I could see, from time to time, 

 Miss Lou's boat paddled by Eosa, and the young lady seated in 

 the bow. 



" What 's that ahead ? " shouted Jackson. 



" Can't say, though it looks black," I replied, as some indistinct 

 body rushed out from under some grape-vines, shaking down the 

 fruit in showers. 



" Yeow ! yeow ! — oohow ! " chimed in two or three dogs in 

 chorus, on some new and fresh scent, and Wag, who had been 

 keeping very near me, dashed off to see. 



" There 's a buck, — look out ! " said Jackson, firing. 



" Never riz a hair ! " called Mike, as the deer crashed on. 



" Big buck ! big buck ! " called out the negroes beyond. 



" Spang ! " 



" There goes Lou's gun," said Jackson. " What is she shooting? 

 can you see ? " 



" Yes, a young buck." 



" It 's getting lively, Jackson." 



" Wait a little, there 's game here ! Hear the boys sing." 



The lively chant of the negroes sounded in the clear air, 

 accompanied by the crashing of their sticks : 



" Wake 'em up dare ! 



Waugh and a waugh da ! 

 Git out possum ! 

 Waugh da dey ! " 



" Da she goes," called a negro, as something bounded out of 

 the bushes. 



"What's that?" 



" Big buck, sah got horns like a dead tree." 



