74 WARWICK WOODLANDS. 



every second the course of the hounds seemed to vary, at 

 one instant they would appear to be rushing directly down 

 to us, and the next instant they would turn as though they 

 were going up the hill again. Meantime our beaters were 

 not idle — their stirring shouts, serving alike to animate 

 the hounds, and to force the deer to water, made rock 

 and wood reply in cheery echoes; but, to my wonder, I 

 caught not for a long time one note of Harry's gladsome 

 voice. 



At length, as I strained my eyes against the broad 

 hill-side, gilt by the rays of the declining sun, I caught 

 a glimpse of his form running at a tremendous pace, 

 bounding over stock and stone, and plunging through 

 dense thickets, on a portion of the declivity where the tall 

 trees had a few years before been destroyed by accidental 

 fire. 



At this moment the hounds were running, to judge from 

 their tongues, parallel to the lake and to the line which 

 he was running — the next minute, with a redoubled clam- 

 or, they turned directly down to him. I lost sight of him. 

 But half a minute afterward, the shfirp crack of his rifle 

 again rang upon the air, followed by a triumphant 

 "Whoop! who-whoop!" and then, I knew, another stag 

 had fallen. 



The beaters on the hill shouted again louder and louder 

 than before — and the hounds still raved on. By heaven! 

 but there must be a herd of them a-foot! And now the 

 pack divides! The English hounds are bringing their 

 game down — here — by the Lord! just here — right in our 

 very faces! The Southrons have borne away over the 

 shoulder of the hill, still running hot and hard in Jolly 

 Tom's direction. 



"By heaven!" I cried, "look, Teachman! Garry, look! 

 There! See you not that noble buck? — he leaped that 

 siimach bush like a race-horse! and see! see! now he will 

 take the water. Bad luck on it! he sees us, and heads 

 back!" 



Again the fleet hounds rally in his rear, and chide till 

 earth and air are vocal and harmonious. Hark! hark! 

 how Archer's cheers ring on the wind! Now he turns 

 once again — he nears the edge — how glorious! with what 

 M beautiful bold boimd he leaped from that hisch bluff into 

 the flashing' wave! with what a majesty he tossed his 



