THE CHASE. 395 
When the party is made up, the ground agreed upon, and the 
time fixed, the dogs should be well fed over night, but they must 
not be allowed to take food in the morning, which will require 
much time for digestion. An early start should be made and 
the party proceed to the field at a smart walk. The dogs should 
follow on foot for two or three miles, when they should be taken 
into a wagon, in which they should ride the balance of the way. 
The deer, it will be found, have long since left the timber to seek 
repose through the day in the high grass, and generally will be 
found in the sloughs, but in unburned prairie, sometimes in patches 
on the high ground. In the fall of the year, or in the winter, of 
course the deer can remain in the low ground undisturbed by the 
flies and mosquitoes. 
Arrived upon the ground, the hunters should arrange themselves 
abreast across the slough, so separated as to beat the whole. 
The progress is up the slough from the timber and towards the 
wide open prairie, so as to enable the flankers to cut off the deer 
from the timber and drive them into the field, for if they once 
reach the timber they are safe from the pursuit of the grey- 
hound. Being thus arranged, the hunters proceed up the slough 
through the high grass, the pack remaining near the centre of the 
line with their master. When a deer is started a shout is raised, 
and a rush is made in the direction of the game. This is in- 
stantly understood by the pack, and they spring forward in the 
direction thus indicated, jumping high to get a sight of the game. 
Their observation and progress are obstructed by the tall grass, 
so that by the time they reach the open ground the deer has at-. 
tained a considerable start. Now the real chase commences. 
The dogs and horses, stimulated by excitement and the loud 
shouts of the hunters, lay down to their work beautifully. The’ 
deer shapes his course for the nearest point of timber. With 
long and rapid strides he skims the ground almost like a bird on 
the wing, never spending his strength by high bounds, but running 
low and rapidly he passes over the ground with great swiftness. 
But if the ground is well chosen there will be miles of naked 
prairie before him, and he soon feels the pressure of his great ex- 
ertions. He improves his chances by taking advantage of the 
inequality of the ground or tall grass, which may hide him from the 
sight of the dogs; but the experienced hunter anticipates these 
movements and turns them to the disadvantage of the pursued 
by making a shorter cut when the deer makes a circuit, or gains 
upon him when he is obliged to slacken his pace in the denser 
