THE CHASE. 397 
upon the shoulders and neck, and one or more behind can, in an 
incredibly short time, dispatch a large buck; but before this is 
accomplished the huntsmen are generally up, when the hunting- 
knife puts an end to the struggle. 
The most successful dog I ever followed always threw his deer 
in the way described, and I never knew him once to fail; but 
I have known other dogs to seize the deer in the lower flank and 
throw him by so doing. 
A short time gathers the horsemen around the prostrate buck, 
when each may have something to relate. A horse or two may 
have stumbled in the chase, whose riders have been dashed to 
the ground; possibly a broken limb, but probably a few bruises 
would sum up the casualties; and after the panting horses have 
taken breath, and the wounded have been cared for, another 
start is made and the scene again repeated. 
It often happens that several deer are started at the same 
time which run in different directions, whereupon the party and 
the pack divide, and may be seen scouring over the prairie, pur- 
suing the flying game, and at the conclusion of the run are sep- 
arated by many miles; sometimes, indeed, so far that they are 
not again united the same day, unless at the dinner-table, when 
the incidents of the day are recounted, with such extravagant 
embellishments as may be necessary to enable each to outdo the 
others. 
Of all the modes of chasing the deer, its pursuit over the prai- 
rie with horse and hound is by far the most exciting and exhil- 
arating ; and, J may add, the most expensive, also, especially to 
the inexperienced rider; for, if he returns with a sound horse 
and a sound body, he may consider himself fortunate. Practice 
is required in this as well as in other modes of pursuit, though in 
none can the neophyte in deer hunting take so active a part as 
in this. 
There is as great a difference in speed and endurance among 
deer as among horses. Some may be taken almost immediately, 
while others can only be captured by the bést dogs and best 
horses, after a chase of many miles, when half the party may 
have been left quite out of sight. Take a long-legged, lean buck, 
in the prime of life, and he is a marvel of speed and endurance, 
and will satisfy the most ambitious sportsman before he is run 
into. 
Another mode of hunting the deer is called the Fire Hunt. 
As I have never tried it, I am unable to describe it from my own 
