A HUNT. 



247 



to be on the rise overlooking the Lagoon, 

 from whence the sight of the deer and dogs 

 threading the mazes below was very inte- 

 resting: at the same time the conical sides 

 of the Lagoon vibrated and reverberated 

 with the hallooings of the hunters. At last 

 the poor deer, finding no chance of escape 

 below, made directly up the steep side of 

 the cone, and passing within a few yards of 

 me, bounded down the outer side towards 

 the plains below, closely followed by the 

 dogs. Being tolerably well mounted, I fol- 

 lowed at full speed, but nearly paid dear 

 for my temerity; for the horses of the coun- 

 try are not accustomed to go fast down 

 steep declivities ; the consequence was, that 

 three times my horse's nose touched the 

 ground, but fortunately recovering himself 

 each time, we at length reached the plain. 

 The dogs in their descent frequently rolled 

 headlong over and over again, from the 

 great velocity at which they were going, 



