THE EUMINANT OEDEE. 303 



and a few old Hounds are placed upon the trail to unkennel it. 

 A short interval usually occurs before the game is afoot, and then 

 the hunt commences. At first the Stag, trusting to its fleet- 

 ness, with its head well- up, runs with assurance ; but after a time, 

 it feels its strength diminish, and tries artifice, doubling back 

 over its scent, so as to set the Hounds at fault. Sometimes it 

 endeavours to make them change their quarry, by unharbouring 

 another of his species, and, taking refuge in some thicket, or 

 making the best of its way in a fresh direction, uses all means to 

 avoid detection. OccasionaUjr this manceuvre meets with success, 

 invariably it causes delay, and thus time is gained, enabling, 

 by a period of rest, the harassed and exhausted creature to regain 

 its failing strength. 



In spite of all the resources suggested by its instinct, in 

 spite of its wonderful activity, the Stag rarely escapes from 

 those who have made its capture a point of honour. After 

 an uninterrujsted run of twelve or fourteen leagues, the unfortu- 

 nate animal still finds the pack constantly behind it, and 

 frequently increased by fresh relays of hounds. It hears the 

 cries of the pursuers, and the sound of the horn resounds in its 

 ears. Incapable of sustaining the contest any longer, it attempts 

 a final eifort for life, plunges into the nearest pond or river, 

 hoping to place a liquid barrier between itself and its enemies. 

 Fatal illusion ! the pack rush after it, press upon it, surround it, 

 and pull it down, while the blasts of the horn sound its death- 

 warrant. (Fig. 118). 



The fatal moment has arrived, and the Stag must die.* The 

 noble animal collects all its remaiaing energy, and prepares to 

 sell its life as dearly as possible. He distributes furious blows 

 with its antlers to the right and left, knocking over the nearest 

 Dogs. But, overcome by numbers, exhausted and worn out, it is 

 ultimately surrounded and pulled down by the infuriated pack, 

 when it receives the final blow, the coup-de-grdce, from the chief 

 personage of the himt. The feet of the victim are retained as a 

 trophy by those who rode most prominent in the chase. 



In the diiferent regions of the Old and ]N"ew World, the Stag 

 is represented by a number of analogous species. In North 

 America a magnificent animal is met with ; this is called the 

 * In England the Stag is generally reserved for future amusement. 



