WHITE-JACK AND COMPANIONS 



front of him. The rider called for her dog 

 and started on the rabbit's trail, shouting at the 

 top of her voice, " That's my jack ! " One or 

 two of the party had joined her in the pursuit, 

 but now turned aside when she claimed the 

 chase. In a moment she was joined by one of 

 her school-mate admirers, a lean, lank fellow 

 wearing a slouch hat and riding a yellow bronco. 

 Away they went shouting and urging their horses 

 to greater speed and encouraging the dog, the 

 rabbit meanwhile keeping his distance with his 

 long ears and little white tail bobbing up and 

 down with each leap. Thus the excited, happy 

 young couple were separated from the main 

 party on their first chase. Soon another, and 

 then another jack sprang up from its " form " 

 amidst the main party, and the hunt grew more 

 and more exciting. The hunters separated into 

 small groups as each entered the chase for the 

 jack that sprang up nearest him. On and on 

 they rode leaping over cocks of old hay or 

 bunches of corn-fodder that chanced to stand 

 in the field. 



The girls and boys shouted with delight as 

 the first rabbit that entered the chase was caught 

 [73] 



