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 used, in those early times, until the deer 
had been wounded. The instant the gun was fired, the hunter, 
unless satisfied he had missed altogether, instantly 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 woynded, 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 
