386 



FOREST AND STREAM, 



[NOV, 13, 1890, 



MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL BEAGLE CLUB AT THE FIELD TRIALS. 



THE NATIONAL BEAGLE CLUB TRIALS, 



TT was a good move on the part of the officers of th<s club 

 X when they decided, before much of the week had been 

 wasted, to seek fresh fields anri pastures new. This is an old 

 saying, I know, but like most crood things it improves with 

 age, and is particularly applicable to my story. I have 

 already told bow we fared the first day, and I am certain 

 had we continued in, to speak mildly, that most unsuitable 

 country we should still, I am positive, be running the 

 Frank-Don heat. The change of venue to Salem. N H., 

 was a lucky and judicious one, and though eame was not 

 abundaut. 'the country to be hunted over was of a much 

 more open and negotiable nature, Consisting chiefly of 

 young timber-land, it was at times pretty hard to get 

 through when dogs and bunny started off at a 2.10 gait, and 

 one had to work pretty nearly as hard with one's arms as 

 with the legs. There were, nevertheless, many open spots 

 of low-lying brush and furze which afforded good going, 

 comparatively speaking, though at best I should not advise 

 any one to participate in the runs unless their wind was up 

 to concert pitch. This was no child's plav, and the judges' 

 office was by no means a sinecure. Handlers could take a 

 rest between heats and so recuperate, but the two men upon 

 whom rested the duty of deciding each heat, hsd to keep 

 pegging away all the time till one felt that a "Willie Day" 

 run across country must be a mere scamper. After a night 

 spent at Lawrence, Mass.. and a hearty breakfast, the boys 

 and their dogs took train to Salem, N. H., a few miles fur- 

 ther on. We were then assigned to different farmhouses, 

 where we soon donned our fighting costumes, at least what 

 was left of them from the previous day's bard battle with 

 the bushes and briars of Hyannis, and reported at head- 

 quarters, which was at Mr. Peabocly's barn, about half a 

 mile above the village. About 10 o'clock a start was made 

 across the fields to where the rabbits were said to be quite 

 plentiful. From the look of the neighborhood we were all 

 satisfied at once that we were at last in the right kind of 

 country, and when at 10:25 A, M. on Wednesday the first 

 brace. 



FRANK FOREST AND DON, 

 were pat down and within five minutes ran a rabbit into a 

 wall hole, congratulations were indulged in and our spirits 

 rose proportionately. But I must hark back and pick up 

 the trail at the beginning. This heat was the undecided of 

 the previous clay. They vyere let go alongside a hedge row, 

 and working this down into some fairly open woodland, 

 Frank opened on a trail with such music as cheered us all. 

 Don, hunting in another part, failed to connect in time to 

 see bunny take to earth with Frank close on. Messrs. Chap- 

 man and Lacy set to work pulling up stones till the former, 

 with an instinct born of much beagle hunting, made a happy 

 hit aud was able to draw the rabbit from his fancied security. 

 Did we kill it? Not much! that was not our game. He was 

 tenderly taken into the woodsand dropped, to become a sub- 

 ject for future reference. Given a few minutes law, dogs 

 Were laid on and after several very pretty casts in swampy 

 ground by both dogs, Frank struck a note and was soon off 

 on a hot scent. He was hard to follow, as he is a very fast 

 working beagle, but he could be heard ringing the woods 

 several times. Don harked back to the swamp where the 

 other dog had started from and pottered around, Frank 

 coming back again to make a fresh attempt, crossing trails 

 evidently bothering him. Both dogs were started even again, 

 when Frank at once found and in full cry led puss another 

 merry dance through the underwood, the rabbit finally com- 

 ing out near the spectators and was followed almost im- 

 mediately by Frank, who did a smart piece of work in 

 trailing without a check, till puss was compelled to take to 

 earth agaiD. Don, who had been hunting round on his own 

 hook and paying too much attention to the multiplicity of 

 trails, now came tip, and before any one could get to him, 

 ousted Frank from his well-earned honors, biting him at the 

 same time through the nose and lip. Dogs were then held, 

 up till on the outskirt of woods. The dogs were turned 

 down once again, though the judges were satisfied that 

 Frank was the better dog, we thought that an equal chance 

 should be given them in the open. Frank again showed his 

 superiority by finding. This decided it, and after trying 

 them for gunshyness, both being steady, the heat and first 

 prize in Class A was awarded to Frank Forest. 



After some consultation the judges decided that Don had 

 shown more huut than Sunday, and awarded him second 

 prize, Sunday taking third. As I stated last week Clyde had 

 been "withdrawn. In reviewing this heat where two of the 

 best dogs in the trials competed, some very good hunting was 

 done by both dogs, both are stylish at work, but Frank is 

 the keener in his hunt for likely places. Owing to the na- 

 ture of the ground hunted, it was hardly possible to judge 

 of pace, but there was little difference. I have devoted a 

 good deal of space to this heat, but only from the fact that 

 most of the heats were but repetitions. Prize ribbons were 

 distributed to the owners and a few congratulations indulged 

 in; this being the firstprize for beagle hunting ever awarded, 

 it was excusable. A move was nowmade for lunch. About 

 2 P. M. Class D, for bitches 13in. and under, was called, and 



BELLE ROSS AND BANNER QUEEN 



were put down. Both dogs were worked by their owners. 

 Some woods to the left of where we hunted in the morning 

 were tried, both hunting well for half an hour, Bell showing 

 more sense and go. Finally a rabbit was started and trailed 

 to earth by Belle Ross. Drawn away, Belle Ross hunted in 

 the neighborhood of the burrow, but Banner Queen started 

 off on an old trail and led Judge Lacy on the double for 

 some distance, till finally she was worked toward the other, 

 at the same time she showed some pretty hunting, which, 

 however, counted for nothing. Belle Ross not caring to 

 leave the hole or its vicinity, an attempt was made to get 

 puss out, but failed Shortly after a rabbit was started by 

 Banner Queen and both beagles were soon in full cry; dogs 

 were shortly at fault, Belle Ross striking it off after some 

 pretty work; the chase was hot for twenty minutes, Belle 

 showing her superiority, and finally ran puss to earth. Belle 

 won. Down about lh. 20m. 



BELLE ROSS AND BABY DEANE. 

 After a short rest, Baby Deane, the bye, was put down 

 with Belle Ross. Baby Deane was handled by A. D. Parry. 

 This bitch was rather handicapped, as her handler was 

 entirely strange to her, and this no doubt had a good deal 

 to do with her defeat, as she is otherwise a good worker, but 

 was under no control. Starting at 3:30 P. M., Belle soon 

 struck a trail aud did some fast work, forcing the rabbit to 

 take to earth in self-defense, in eight minutes. Almost at 

 the same time Baby Deane trailed to the other end of the 

 burrow, which was only about 3yds. long, with both in full 

 tongue and only their wagging sterns to be seen, the picture 

 was a pretty one. Dogs being held up, Judge Lewis poked 

 a stick up the hole to force her ladyship out, then Judge 

 Lacy, dropping on his knees at the other end, prepared to 

 catch bunny as she escaped, but hardly had he settled into 

 position when out popped the rabbit like a flash, and bound- 

 ing over his shoulder escaped to the brush. Dogs were let 

 loose and all was hurry scurry and hot runniner, till the 

 rabbit was forced to earth under a large rock. Put down 

 again at 3:48 some good hunting was done by both dogs, 

 Belle especially, Baby showing an inclination to hunt back 

 to the old hole despite Mr. Parry's best efforts. Dogs 

 ordered up at 4:30, and heat and first prize given to Belle 

 Ross, 



BANNERQUEEN AND BAB'S DEARIE 

 were then put down for second place at 4:45. They hunted 

 for some time in likely places at edge of woods, along the 

 swamps and across some fields, and then hunted into some 

 low ground heavily covered with brushwood. Here a rab- 



bit started almost under the writer's feet. Bannerqueen 

 called to trail, failed to strike it at once, when Baby running 

 up, struck it off immediately and led us one of the fastest 

 chases of the meeting, circling round and round the swamps, 

 losing occasionally but finding again, till darkness coming 

 on the dogs were ordered up. Baby being under better con- 

 trol this heat, she showed better work, and was given second 

 prize. Bannerqueen w r as less confident and seemed too fond 

 of its owner to go far away. This ended the hunting for the 

 day. Though the daj; dawned with a heavy hoar frost, Old 

 Sol was not to be denied, and during the middle of the day 

 it was uncomfortably hot for the work we had in hand, and 

 of course the scent iay too dry for good work. Every one 

 was happy over the progress made, and everything pointed 

 to a successful trial after all. After supper at our respective 

 homes, and grateful we were for such cleanly, comfortable 

 quarters after the hard work of the day, we adjourned to the 

 corner grocery to smoke and talk over again the events of 

 the day, and I doubt not, many followed imaginary trails 

 even in their sleep. 



THURSDAY. 

 Class B — For hitches lsln. and under. 

 It was proposed to make an early start to-day as a good 

 deal of work had to be got through, for there were some good 

 dogs in this stake. About 8 A. M. 



MOLLIE AND BABV DEANE 



were put down in edge of woods. Mollie did some good 

 hunting, but without a find, Baby, as usual, paying no at- 

 tention to her handler, Mr. Parry, who, by the way, is a past 

 master at this game, and given a dog that will mind him he 

 will get all the hunt out there is in the dog. Near the end 

 of the first 45m. Mollie struck a trail, and whimpering oc- 

 casionally, led us some little runs which amounted to noth- 

 ing in the way of game; old fox trails principally. Mollie 

 showed herself the better bitch and was given the hunt at 

 9 A. M. This was about the most unsatisfactory heat run 

 during the meeting. 



MR. A. PARRY'S BEAGLE FRANK FOREST. 

 (Winner of Special for Best Beagle in the N. B. O. Trials.) 



DESDEMONA AND SUE. 

 These two were put in at 9:25. After some good hunting 

 Desdemona gave tongue, and such a throatful we bad not 

 heard so far in the trials, she was easily the truest hound- 

 toned beagle in the pack. Desdemona seemed to Know this 

 and gave forth when there was little need. Game was 

 scarce and dogs were taken to another part of the woods. 

 Sue then began to show us what she could do, drawing all 

 the likely places in a workmanlike manner, and was re- 

 warded shortly after with a ringing find which she followed 

 but eventually lost, but making a pretty cast she, took if 

 up again, and after a terrific chase, which pretty well 

 knocked the judges to pieces, she forced bunny to earth at 

 11:45, Dogs ordered up and bunt given to Sue; down 2b. 

 20m. A move was made for lunch, and after a welcome rest 

 the judges called 



TW1NTWO AND GYPSEY FOREST, 

 In open ground these two pretty beagles were turned 

 loose, and Twintwo was not long in finding, though Gypsey 

 was hunting too, and taking up the trail the latter worked 

 the game at a merry pace, witn only a few checks for some- 

 thing like half an hour, when she finally sought her bur- 

 row. Gypsey was then held up to allow 'Twintwo a chance 

 to find the hole, which she did in good style. Gypsey showed 

 herself a better driver, with more sense and go than Twin- 

 two. Gypsey on the second rabbit made a beautiful ring 

 cast, and striking the trail, the rabbit led her a merry dance 

 till finally even puss found the pace too hot and a hole in 

 the wall was sought. After another half hour's work, in 

 which Gypsey put another rabbit up and ran it to earth, 

 dogs were ordered up, and Gypsey Forest won. Down one 

 hour. 



LILLA AND JUNE ROSE. 

 These two were handled by their owners. They were cast 

 loose in woods and worked toward the open land, which 

 was pretty well covered with furze bushes and seemingly 

 good ground, but as we often found, the most likely places 

 were drawn blank and bunny found scooting from a patch 

 of woods no one would dream of meeting her in. In the 

 work that followed June Rose did some good hunting, Lilla 

 following on. The latter bitch is a fallow red and is a most 

 difficult dog to keep in sight when running over the dried 

 pine needles and leaves. June Rose found first and ran the 

 J rabbit through woods back to open ground, where it sought 

 safety in her earthy home at 4 P„ M. After being down some 



twenty minutes longer, June Rose doing the best work, 

 that is, showing the most hunting sense, Lilla being content 

 to potter around her handler, and seldom striking out for 

 herself, the heat was given to June Rose. Down 40 min- 

 utes. 



BELL ROSS AND CORA. 

 These two beagles being cast off at 4 P. M., Bell Ross 

 started off with her usual thorough work. She is one of the 

 best trailers and careful workers I ever saw. At times she 

 almost potters, and then will suddenly make up her mind 

 that this place is no good and start off for a more likely one, 

 which she hunts over thoroughly before leaving. In some 

 open country she forced a rabbit out of the furze and quickly 

 ran it to earth, where it was left. Then Cora hunted a bit 

 like finding, but it amounted to nothing. Then Bell worked 

 the previous rabbit, which had been forced out, to another 

 burrow lower down the hill, when Mr. Parry was left to get 

 it out if possible. Ranging on throuerh rough ground. Bell 

 did some careful work, doing more brush work than any dog 

 in the trials. She is not afraid to go in any cover, however 

 dense. Cora hunted over a piece of swampy ground and 

 failed to give a sign. Bell coming after struck a note and 

 did some very fine work, till the rabbit breaking cover across 

 a rocky field. Dr. Power shot and missed the only rabbit 

 fired at during the trials. Cora has not a good nose, but 

 works with good intent. Bell is all fire and go, but at the 

 same time misses no ground, giving due attention to every 

 likely hold. Bell won. Down 50 minutes. As darkness 

 was coming on apace, a move was made toward home, about 

 two miles distant. The day's sport was voted a good one, 

 and all hands turned into bed at an early hour thoroughlv 

 tired out. 



FRIDAY. 



Second Series. 



MOLLIE AND. TONE. 



The morning opened with a drizzling rain, which boded 

 good for scent, and as it proved was the best running day 

 we had had. Tone was the bye dog in the first series and 

 was put down to run with the first winner at 8:15 A.M. Mr. 

 Parry having secured the rabbit he was after the previous 

 evening. Secretary Chapman took it home in his pocket, so 

 that he would be sure of one rabbit on the morrow. As it 

 turned out it proved, as might have been expected in a 

 strange country, worse than nothing. Let loose in some 

 open ground it ran to a stone wall, where it was trailed by 

 Tone, who was first to strike the scent. Rabbit then bolted 

 into the open field where a mild Hicksville coursing match 

 was indulged in by both dogs, bunny not knowing where to 

 run, narrowly escaping a squeeze several times. Dogs were 

 caught by their handlers and the writer succeeded in cap 

 turing bunny, when he took her to a cosy part of woods and 

 turned her loose for another day. Dogs were drawn off and 

 taken to another part of woods at 8:20. It was not long be- 

 fore Tone struck a note and then bursting into full cry. fol- 

 lowed by Mollie, led us a merry scamper through briar, 

 shrubs, scrub oak and other impedimenta, for 10 minutes, 

 when rabbit proved too clever. After casting around tor a 

 while they both struck the trail and were away again, but 

 rabbit was lost in the number of contrary trails. After hunt- 

 ing till 9:40 the dogs were ordered up and heat awarded to 

 Tone. Though both hunted well Tone had the luck, but at 

 the same time showed more sense, drive and ambition, Mol- 

 lie stopping several times in her work in a hesitating man- 

 ner, as if she did not know exactly what she was there for. 

 Down 1 hour and 25 minutes. 



SUE AND GYPSEY FOREST. 



Shortly after being put down Gypsey struck a trail full in 

 the face, and worked the rabbit at a quick pace, finally forc- 

 ing it to a hole in wall, where it w^as l in possible to get at it. 

 Sue had passed this spot when Gypsey found, but failed to 

 score, and went off on her own account to other side of 

 woods, but found nothing; when brought right back to the 

 trail Gypsey had opened on, she hesitated to loliow it up. 

 Afterward they were tried in the open together, for hunt 

 and nose. Sue did not work with the vigor of the young 

 one, who did some pretty nosing and eventually won the 

 heat. Down half an hour. Gypsey Forest much the best. 



JUNE ROSE AND BELL ROSS. 



This couple were cast off at 10:25 in underwood. Bel 1 Ross 

 found the trail of a rabbit that had been turned loose, lost 

 it shortly after, when it was picked up by June Rose, who 

 ran rabbit to earth. Both dogs worked well and packed 

 nicely, more so than any of the other couples. Cast off 

 again, June Rose showed more hunt and range. Bell Ross, 

 tne lively bitch of the day before, did not seem herself at 

 all. she is only a young bitch and this work is new to her 

 and doubtless she was stiff, she having had some pretty 

 heavy work the previous two days. Heat was tiven to June 

 Rose. This completed the second series, and the judges 

 decided that Tone and Gypsey Forest should compete for 

 the first prize, and were accordingly cast off at 11:45. 



Final SeHes. 

 tone and t;vi'-::v FOREST. 

 Tonehandled by Mr. Jameson, Mr. Parry handling his own. 

 Before they had been ranging five minutes, Toue gave tongue 

 and trailed bunny merrily through the woods, first one then 

 the other leading, as they cast for fresh hold; rabbit finally 

 seeking shelter in a sandhill burrow at 11:40. Tone found 

 again at 11:45 and carried the trail at a great pace for about 

 15m.. top and over a wall 7ft. high into some brush, both 

 dogs doing their level best, over another wall and down into 

 a culvert where the quarry had sought a sanctuary. Game 

 had not been seen, but as this would have decided the 

 heat in Tone's favor, Mr. Parry having in mind that big 

 wall, suggested that it was not a rabbit at all, and on inves- 

 tigation he proved to be right, for after a little prodding a 

 beautiful puss of the Maltese persuasion coursed the next 

 field like a streak of lightning, amid the laughter and chaffing 

 of those lucky enough aud with wind enough co carry them 

 to the finish . As we were now quite close to the home farm 

 lunch hour was called. At 1:54 we assembled at the wood- 

 side again, and putting down the two dogs, Tone found and 



