234 
VIRGINIAN DEER. 
success. The hounds are carried to the hills to trail, and start the Deer 
before day light. Some of the hunters are stationed at their favourite cross- 
ing places to shoot them should they approach within gun shot. After 
being chased for an hour or two the Deer pushes for the lake. Here 
on some point of land a party lie in wait with a light and swift boat ; 
after the Deer has swam to a certain distance from the shore he is headed 
and approached by the rowers, a noose is thrown over the head, and the un- 
fortunate animal drawn to the side of the boat, when the captors proceed 
to cut its throat in violation of all the rules of legitimate sporting. 
Fire hunting is another destructive mode of obtaining Deer. In this case 
two persons are essential to success. A torch of resinous wood is carried 
by one of the party, the other keeps immediately in front with his gun. 
The astonished Deer instead of darting olf seems dazzled by the light, and 
stands gazing at this newly kindled flame in the forest. The hunter sees 
his eyes shining like two tapers before him ; he fires and is usually suc- 
cessful ; sometimes there are several Deer in the gang, who start off for a 
few rods at the report of the gun, and again turn their eyes to the light. 
In this manner two or three are frequently killed within fifty yards of each 
other. This kind of hunting by firelight is often attended with danger 
to the cattle that may be feeding in the vicinity, and is prohibited by a 
law of Carolina, which is however frequently violated. The eyes of a 
cow are easily mistaken for those of a deer. We conversed with a gentle- 
man who informed us that he had never indulged in more than one fire-hunt, 
and was then taught a lesson which cured him of his passion lor this kind 
of amusement. He believed that he saw the eyes of a Deer and fired, the 
animal bounded off, as he was convinced, mortally wounded. In the im- 
mediate vicinity he detected another pair of eyes and fired again. On re- 
turning the next morning to look for his game, he found that he had slaugh- 
tered two favourite colts. Another related an anecdote of a shot fired at 
what was supposed to be the shining eyes of a Deer, and ascertained to his 
horror that it was a dog standing between the legs of a negro, who had 
endeavoured to keep him quiet. The dog was killed and the negro slightly 
wounded. 
There is still another mode of Deer hunting which remains to be decrib- 
ed. It is called “driving,” and is the one in general practice, and the 
favourite pastime among the hospitable planters of the Southern States. 
We have at long intervals, occasionally joined in these hunts, and must ad- 
mit that in the manner in which they were conducted, this method of Deer 
hunting proved an exciting and very agreeable recreation. Although 
we regret to state that it is pursued by some persons at all seasons of the 
year, even when the animals are lean and the venison of no value, yet the 
