RANDOM THOUGHTS ON HUNTING. 289 



be slow in coming by the legislative enactment of 

 laws conservative of game ; and if the laws were 

 stringent, the juries would be indulgent and slow 

 of giving damages, except in cases of flagrant 

 injury. 



During the session of the court, held in the 

 southeastern circuit of this State, I was present at 

 a trial which will serve to illustrate the state of 

 public opinion in reference to this subject. It was 

 an action for trespass, growing out of the conflict- 

 ing rights of the hunter and the landholder. One 

 of the hunters was on the stand. He was himself 

 a landholder, and a man of some property, and the 

 question was put by the counsel : 



" "Would you pursue a deer if he entered your 

 neighbor's inelosure?" 



Witness " Certainly." 



Counsel" What if his fields were planted, and 

 his cotton growing, or his grain ripe?" 



Witness " It would make no difference ; I should 

 follow my dogs, go where they might !" 



Judge "And pull down your neighbor's fence, 

 and trample on his fields ?" 



Witness u I should do it though I might regret 

 to injure him !" 



Judge "You would commit a trespass; you 



