226 THE LAST DAY AT CHEE-HA 



wounded buck leap from every busli that lay in their 

 way. At Green Pond they turned and pushed into 

 "Wright's Bay. How the cry redoubled when they 

 passed over the swampy soil, that had retained the 

 scent more freshly than the high pine land. 



" On for Washington's," said Loveleap ; " he 

 makes for the river take up the passes or we lose 

 him !" 



And we dash along at full speed, until we occupy 

 the intended stands. We are far ahead of the 

 hounds ; but the deer was ahead of us ; and when 

 the dogs came roaring by the place where we 

 stood, they swept on in full career for the Chee-ha. 

 There was small chance of their turning, and we 

 ordered our drivers to ride down to the marshes and 

 recover the dogs, if possible, before they reached 

 the river. They were too late. When they 

 reached the bank, some dogs were swimming, some 

 howling on the margin. The deer evidently had 

 crossed, and the drivers sounded their horns in vain 

 to reassemble the pack. 



We waited in the road until our patience was 

 exhausted ; when, after a weary interval, the driv- 

 ers reappeared, with but a scanty following of 

 hounds. Dick, in particular, with a subdued tone, 

 reporting the entire Port Royal pack as missing. 



" They crossed," he said, " to ' May's Folly,' and 



