218 THE LAST DAY AT CHEE-IIA. 



tlie right, and following a faintly traced path that 

 penetrated the thicket, I again came upon a trail. 

 Evidently there were several that had taken this 

 direction : here was the foot-print, freshly stamped 

 in the muddy soil here were the logs which they 

 had leaped, on their retreat, yet dripping with the 

 water splashed on them ; but the bears had passed 

 onward, and the ground became more and more 

 difficult, until it prevented all further advance. 



I was now in the heart of the swamp, and I 

 sounded my horn to call around me the hunters and 

 hounds, the first for consultation, the second for pur- 

 suit. No horn replied ! I shouted no answer ! 1 

 listened and began to understand why my signals 

 were unnoticed. The hounds had roused a deer, and 

 were bearing down toward my left ; and none of 

 the field were willing, by leaving their stands, or 

 answering a blast whose import they could not 

 understand, to forfeit their own chance of sport. 

 Nearer and nearer comes the cry they are skirting 

 the thicket, and are driving directly for my stand ! 



" Well ! let them come ! I have one barrel yet in 

 reserve," and with this reflection, I make the best 

 of my way back to the position I had just occupied ! 

 The chase turned to the left ; presently a shot is 

 fired in that direction, but no horn sounds the signal 

 of success ! " Ha ! the dogs are gaining the pine 



