14 HUNTING SPORTS OP THE WEST. 



preparation for the sports of the day. The major, who 

 was to be the Grand Master of the Hunt, selected his best 

 rifles, and we went to work moulding bullets. The notes 

 of preparation were sounded in every direction, the ne- 

 groes laughed, the dogs barked, the horses neighed, and all 

 was bustle and confusion. All the arrangements had 

 been made the previous night, and every man must be at 

 his post by sunrise. The circle was to be three miles in 

 diameter ; and all the neighbors within a half-day's ride, 

 were to assist at the ceremony. The centre of the cir- 

 cle was within sight of the major's farm. Here was a 

 large pond or lake, which, being frozen over, had been 

 chosen by universal consent, for the place of meeting. 

 As our starting point was at a considerable distance, the 

 major gave directions for the house to be closed, the 

 windows to be barred and protected from any danger 

 from the infuriated animals ; then bidding the females 

 keep close in their asylum, and leaving one of the ne- 

 groes with a rifle to guard it, we started off. Little 

 Willie, the major's eldest son, a boy of about twelve 

 years of age, after hard entreaty, was permitted to ac- 

 company us, under the care of one of the negroes. A 

 small rifle, suitable to his age and strength, was fur- 

 nished, and he marched before us, proud of his permis- 

 sion, and boasting of his intended glorious warfare on 

 the smaller game. 



We reached the appointed place, and exactly at the 

 hour commenced our advance. The hunters were placed 

 at a distance of about fifty yards apart, in order that 

 nothing of consequence might escape. Little Willie 

 kept close to his father at first, but getting bolder as we 



