AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
233 
game, (a doe and fawn,) separated. The former attempt- 
ed to pass the stand occupied by Mr. R., and presented 
herself within thirty yards of him. He fired one barrel, 
and, (wonderful to relate,) missed her. Making thence 
to the stand filled by Colonel H., she rushed out at too 
great a distance, (at least one hundred yards,) to render 
his shot certain; but near enough to draw one barrel from 
him also. The fawn, followed by a part of the pack, pass- 
ed out of the drive, at a point unoccupied; but too near 
our veteran, Major T., to have any chance of escape. 
Hastily mounting old Billy, into whose sides he dashed 
the rowels, he headed the pack and killed the fawn. 
As we occupied an untenanted house, and had brought 
our own supplies, the fawn afforded a very seasonable 
addition to our larder; and in the hands of our scientific 
cook, Paul, was served up in magnificent style. The next 
morning, at sunrise, having been joined by Colonel A. 
and Mr. M._, the whole pack w r ere uncoupled, and thrown 
off at the Big Marsh. Deep in the swamp, old Clinker 
again challenges, and the whole pack rush to his well 
known tongue; a short drag, and then, what a tremendous 
burst! A large buck was viewed at Hart’s stand; but, 
smelling the stander, he dashed into the swamp, where, 
making one or two circles, he broke across the creek, 
eluding all the party. 
In about an hour our boys returned with all the dogs, 
having succeeded in whipping them off. They were then 
thrown into Red Bank, where two or three starts were 
made; but no shootinguntilwe reached Rocky Ford, where 
a fine doe was killed by Colonel H. Returning to din- 
ner, each faux pas was dwelt upon; and the unfortunate 
subjects that committed them were reprimanded by our 
veteran in the true spirit of a practised sportsman. The 
merits of each dog was commented upon over our venison 
pastry, with its concomitants; which you may more easily 
imagine than I describe. After “cooling off,” weagainturn- 
ed out, up the Big Creek. Five Deer were soon roused, 
one of which was shot by Mr. B., and another by Mr. M.; 
but the principal part of the dogs following the remaining 
three to the hills, we pursued until dusk, but were unable 
to shoot again. The next morning, having as much veni- 
son as we could dispose of amongst our friends, we re- 
turned home. 
Our last hunt occurred about three weeks since. Having 
been invited to join some friends, in the neighbourhood 
of Lexington court-house, to hunt “a tremendous buck,” 
who had frequently eluded their pursuit, we all assem- 
bled at the house of Mr. D. Early the next morning the 
party divided, to flank Twelve Mile Creek, leaving the 
big buck for the afternoon. So soon as the light blast of 
our horn was answered by the opposite party, our dogs 
N n n 
% 
were uncoupled and thrown into cover — Blue Cap chal- 
lenged. Two bucks speedily broke cover, for the hills. 
Being hard pressed by the dogs, they doubled for the mill 
pond. Soon after they separated, the whole pack adher- 
ing to the larger, (a four snagged buck,) who was headed 
and killed by Colonel H. After a short delay, the dogs 
were thrown off again in the swamp. A doe soon roused, 
and, in breaking cover, was killed by Mr. D., our worthy 
host. The party now formed a junction, and found that 
Mr. B. F. T. and Mr. W. had killed another fine buck, 
which they had caught sneaking from cover. Returning 
to Mr. D.’s, we were, after dinner, prevailed on, (“no- 
thing loth,”) to make one more drive for the “big one.” 
Mr. F., (an amateur,) volunteered to drive; and, aided 
by Mr. D. and the boys, the dogs were turned into cover, 
close to our rendezvous. At it they went, in gallant 
style; Clinker, Blue Cap, Jasper, Ebony, and Boxer, soon 
challenged — a short drag was the prelude of a tremen- 
dous crash. The old fellow attempted his old tricks of 
doubling like a fox, and effectually deceived Mr. F., who 
raised the view halloo; but, being cautioned by Mr. D. to 
stand fast, we all remained at our posts, whilst the whole 
pack settled down upon him, close at his haunches. In a 
short time Mr. F. discovered his mistake, by viewing the 
“ old Monarch,” accompanied by another buck. He fired 
from a restive horse — hit the old one with a single shot 
in the thigh. The Deer then separated. The principal 
part of the pack, after the wounded one, making directly 
to Mr. D., who shot at, but missed him. He then 
turned to Mr. R.’s stand, who, with one barrel, sealed his 
fate. 
Boxer, Buncomb, Ebony, and Sting, pursued the other 
buck; and, in less than an hour and a half, ran into him 
at a mill pond, where he was taken from them by the 
miller, having never been fired at. Thus closed this 
brilliant hunt, killing every Deer unharboured; and the 
highest encomiums were elicited from “ our veteran,” 
who was almost tempted to challenge, to hunt his party 
and their dogs against the universe. 
[ American Turf Register. 
THE MELON. 
The Melon is the richest and most highly flavoured 
of all the fleshy fruits. It is often said to be a native of 
the central parts of Asia, and to have been first brought 
into Europe from Persia; but the date of its first culture 
is so remote, that there is no certain knowledge on the 
subject. Pliny and Columella describe the fondness of 
