THE CHASE. 383 



The opportunities first described afforded but one mode adopted 

 by the early settlers for supplying their families with venison. 

 In the winter time, they followed the deer through the snow, and 

 seldom failed of success. They soon learned their habits, their 

 favorite ranges and feeding grounds, and early learned where to 

 look for them ; and could judge with great accuracy as to their 

 destination, when they had followed a track but a short distance, 

 and could so anticipate their arrival at a given point. 



In the fall of the year, when the deer are in the finest condi- 

 tion, many made a business of hunting them, to lay in a store of 

 provisions. The still-hunt was their favorite mode. They 

 silently threaded their way through the quiet forest, frequently 

 with a trusty dog, well trained, close behind them, seeking those 

 places which their observations had taught them were most fre- 

 quented by the deer, either for shelter or food. Oak or chestnut 

 or beech groves always invited the deer, which sought in them 

 their favorite food. But above all, hazel thickets, where they 

 abound, are the favorite resort of the deer, not only for the nuts 

 which are here found, but for the dense covert which these 

 thickets afford. 



The dog was seldom nsed, in those early times, until the deer 

 had been wounded. The instant the gun was fired, the hunter, 

 unless satisfied he had missed altogether, instantlj^ started the 

 dog, which followed by sight, and so soon as he came up with 

 the wounded deer, brought him to bay, rarely attacking, if 

 the deer stopped to fight him, but detained him with loud bay- 

 ing till his master should come up and with another shot secure 

 the prize. If the deer dropped to the first shot, the dog was 

 slipped, for the chances were that the deer would soon get up 

 and be off, and though mortally wounded, would give the 

 hunter a long chase before he would finally capture him. But 

 few animals will go so far and so fast, after receiving a mortal 

 wound, as a Virginia deer ; although, if not pursued, he will go 

 but little ways after he is out of sight, before he will lie down, 

 and, if not disturbed, may never rise again. The best deer dog 

 I have ever seen, for service in the still-hunt, was a cross between 

 the greyhound and a bull-dog. He was fleet, sagacious, and very 

 powerful. If his master did not soon arrive after he had brought 

 the wounded deer to bay, he was sure to take him down and 

 kill him, and then seek his master and lead him to the spot. 

 This might be miles away, for if the wound is not very severe a 

 strong deer will lead the best dog a long chase through the forest 



