Chap. VII. 
CHINESE DOGS. 
121 
the beaters and dogs together, and started in pursuit of 
deer. 
It was a lovely spring morning, and spring is really 
lovely amongst these northern hills. The dew was on 
the grass, the little birds were chanting their morning 
song of praise, and the Chinese labourer was already at 
work in the fields. Many grass-cutters were working in 
the woods or on the borders of the dense uncultivated 
jungle, and to these our companions applied for informa- 
tion regarding the haunts of the wild deer. They 
succeeded at last in obtaining some specific information, 
and determined on beating an adjoining hill covered 
with coppice and jungle. 
Those who had guns were now stationed at different 
places on the edge of the wood, and the beaters and dogs 
were sent into the jungle. I had never seen Chinese 
dogs hunting before, and was highly amused with their 
performance. They seem to have little or no scent, but 
they have a quick eye and a swift foot, and a wounded 
animal rarely gets away from them. They are clever 
beaters, when taught as these dogs were, and at all events 
make noise enough. They are not, however, to be com- 
pared for a moment with our English dogs. 
In a few minutes after the beating began, a deer was 
seen bounding over the brushwood across the side of the 
hill. One of the dogs pursued it, and all eyes were 
turned to the place, watching the point where it was 
Hkely to emerge from the coppice. At last it came 
within the range of our sportmen's guns. Mr. Wills and 
a Chinaman both fired at the same instant. One of the 
shots broke the animal's hind leg, and the dogs soon 
VOL. II. G 
