XXV 
THE SAM BUR 
3i7 
to the jungle. The scent would therefore be 
freshest near the bank. 
The hounds would be thrown oft upon the plain ; 
sometimes two or more pups would be retained in 
couples, and only released when there should be 
“ a find.” 
It was an inspiriting sight to see the foxhounds, 
or those crossed with pointer or blood-hound, take 
the lead, and instinctively dash along the margin of 
the stream. Old Bluebeard was the hound in which 
the pack believed, and when he spoke after 
feathering along the bottom, with stern erect and 
nose to the ground, there was a general rush 
towards the spot by every dog, no matter what his 
breed ; they were all believers. The couples were 
at once released, and away went the pups to the 
halloo of “ Hark to Bluebeard ! ” The deep notes of 
the old hound were quickly heard far up the 
mountain side, chorused by the voices of the pack 
as they followed hard upon the scent. 
In the meantime where was the noble stag ? He 
was by this time standing somewhere high upon 
the hill, but happily at some distance from the crest. 
With a paunch full of green food, the gluttony of a 
night, and a gallon or so of water taken when he 
quitted the river’s bank, he had been disposing 
himself for sleep, when his attention was aroused by 
the excited voices of the hounds. If any human eye 
could have regarded him, he would have been seen 
standing with uplifted nose and well-pricked ears, 
listening to what was music to us, but the death- 
