294 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



We sat down accordingly, like men who were powerless, and 

 devoted half an hour of our time to discussing the points of 

 each dog- according as we distinguished its rich notes echoing 

 through the soughing forest, and the merits of cigars that 

 would not burn. In a short time we heard new canine Rich- 

 monds in the field, and as they were approaching us we jumped 

 to our feet and eagerly ran for cover, for we expected the quarry 

 at any moment. We waited about five minutes, when a buck 

 dashed past, but ere he could disappear, four barrels had sent 

 their contents into his palpitating sides, and he fell, crying 

 piteously. Before we could reach him the hounds had throttled 

 him, and were fighting for a mouthful of his tender flesh. 

 We soon appeased their hunger, however, by giving them the 

 entrails, and they threw their wearied bodies on the ground 

 beside their prey, while we prepared it for transportation. 



As the day was declining, we concluded to return home, for 

 we were well content with our day's amusement, which enabled 

 us to enjoy some fine runs, and at the same time to reap the 

 reward of vigilance. As soon as our own dogs were assembled 

 we hired a farmer's waggon to take the trophies to town, and 

 in the evening, over a dish of savoury venison, washed down 

 with some Veuve Clicquot, we discussed the events of the day, 

 and brought from the perspective of memory recollections of 

 former hunts which had long laid dormant. 



I spent a fortnight at one time in the forests with a party of 

 genuine hunters, and jovial, hospitable fellows, and never, to me, 

 did two weeks pass more rapidly and pleasantly. Each man 

 furnished his own bed-clothes, and a proportionate share of the 

 food, but a large tent sufficed to hold all ; and though our bed 

 was lowly, and composed solely of straw, no king on his couch 

 of state ever slept more soundly or contentedly than we did. 

 We had three waggons with us, and one of these contained a 

 generous supply of fodder for the horses, so that we should not be 

 compelled to employ any person to herd them during the day. 



After inarching fifteen or twenty miles into the forest, we 

 reached a low chain of hills, which had an altitude of four or 

 five hundred feet, and on the summit of one of these we pitched 

 our camp, under the shade of an old and wide-spreading fir, 

 and close to an abundance of water, for a beautiful tarn and a 



