THE VIRGINIA DEER. 193 



from the stream, the dogs opened freely. We were satisfied 

 that if we could keep up with the pack, we could get a shot 

 as the Deer jumped from its bed. The sun was already 

 quite hot, and it was none too early for the Deer to take his 

 customary rest. 



Suddenly the trail led into a little open glade, where 

 were fallen trees and tall ferns. I had just time to formu- 

 late the idea that our game was here, when the hounds 

 plunged into the brakes, and up sprang a magnificent buck. 

 Before I could dismount, the Doctor's bullet whizzed past 

 me, and the buck dropped, stunned, but far from dead. 

 The hounds were upon him in an instant, but had he not 

 been so furious, he could have escaped from them. Then 

 began a terrific battle, between horns and hoofs on the one 

 side and sharp teeth on the other. The combatants shifted 

 positions each second, and at first we could get in no fair 

 shot. Finally, one of the largest of the dogs got a fair hold 

 on the Deer' s throat, and as he tossed back his head pre- 

 paratory to striking, both of us fired, and the buck fell 

 without a struggle. One of the dogs was so badly cut that 

 it had to be killed, and another was severely injured. 



After this diversion, we set to work to carry out the pro- 

 gramme of the day. We were to have a regular drive. Near 

 the bayou were two runs. The Doctor took his stand at 

 one, and I at the other. The freedmen took charge of the 

 hounds, and easily divided them into two packs, as they 

 were accustomed to being hunted in this way. It seemed 

 an age that we waited there, and I began to think that if 

 the hounds had started any game they had driven it in some 

 other direction. 



At length I heard the faint cry of the pack. They were 

 coming our way. I had plenty of time, and stepped out to 

 look up the trail when I found myself facing a buck that 

 was trotting leisurely down to the water. He saw me as 

 soon as I saw him, and wheeled like a flash; but he was not 

 more than "fifty yards away, and before he could reach the 

 underbrush I fired, and he dropped. The hounds were 

 coming nearer, so I did not dare take time to cut his throat. 



13 



