A WILD-CAT HUNT IN CAROLINA. 163 



motion in the leafy top of a bay-tree, cracked off 

 his Joe Manton with such good effect, that pre- 

 sently we heard a heavy body come tumbling 

 through the limbs until it splashed into the water. 

 Then came a stunning burst from the hounds a 

 clash from the whole orchestra in full chorus-! a 

 growl from the assailed, with an occasional squeak 

 on the part of the assailants, which showed that 

 the game was not all on one side. "We were com- 

 pelled, all the while, to be delighted ear-witnesses 

 only of the strife, which resulted in the victory of 

 the hounds ; and one of our drivers having suc- 

 ceeded, by dint of creeping, dodging, clambering 

 and wading, in worming his way to the scene of 

 conflict, came forth with a fat, over-grown raccoon ; 

 who thus paid forfeit with his life, for having im- 

 prudently crossed the hounds, when intent on 

 higher game. 



Strapping his prize across his shoulders, and 

 smacking his lips in advance, at the thought, of the 

 high-flavored hams, into which he meant to con- 

 vert his haunches, our driver pushed again into the 

 thicket with his dogs, while the horsemen kept the 

 open ground on the flank. And now we had 

 nearly reached the extremity of the gall, and began 

 to fear that we should start no other cat, when 

 Rou'ser suddenly burst out into a fierce cry, as. 



