THE RUMINANT ORDER. 
303 
and a few old Hounds are placed upon the trail to unkennel it. 
A short interval usually occurs before the game is afoot, and then 
the hunt commences. At first the Stag, trusting to its fleet- 
i ness, with its head well-up, runs with assurance ; hut after a time, 
it feels its strength diminish, and tries artifice, doubling hack 
over its scent, so as to set the Hounds at fault. Sometimes it 
endeavours to make them change their quarry, hy unharhouring 
another of his species, and, taking refuge in some thicket, or 
i making the best of its way in a fresh direction, uses all means to 
avoid detection. Occasionally this manoeuvre meets with success, 
invariably it causes delay, and thus time is gained, enabling, 
by a period of rest, the harassed and exhausted creature to regain 
; its failing strength. 
In spite of all the resources suggested by its instinct, in 
spite of its. wonderful activity, the Stag rarely escapes from 
those who have made its capture a point of honour. After 
an uninterrupted run of twelve or fourteen leagues, the unfortu- 
nate animal still finds the pack constantly behind it, and 
frequently increased by fresh relays of hounds. It hears the 
cries of the pursuers, and the sound of the horn resounds in its 
ears. Incapable of sustaining the contest any longer, it attempts 
a final effort for life, plunges into the nearest pond or river, 
hoping to place a liquid barrier between itself and its enemies. 
Fatal illusion ! the pack rush after it, press upon it, surround it, 
and pull it down, while the blasts of the horn sound its death- 
warrant. (Fig. 118). 
The fatal moment has arrived, and the Stag must die.* The 
noble animal collects all its remaining energy, and prepares to 
sell its life as dearly as possible. He distributes furious blows 
with its antlers to the right and left, knocking over the nearest 
Dogs. But, overcome by numbers, exhausted and worn out, it is 
ultimately surrounded and pulled down by the infuriated pack, 
when it receives the final blow, the coup-de-grace, from the chief 
personage of the hunt. The feet of the victim are retained as a 
trophy by those who rode most prominent in the chase. 
In the different regions of the Old and New World, the Stag 
is represented by a number of analogous species. In North 
America a magnificent animal is met with ; this is called the 
* In England the Stag is generally reserved for future amusement. 
