XXV 
THE SAM BUR 
333 
always as far off, or apparently farther off than ever. 
The real fact was that the elk was continually 
breaking his bay, and running farther down 
the mountain towards Dimboola; he was only 
standing to bay within the river at short intervals 
to rest. 
“ For about 4 miles I had burst my way through 
the jungle, when, upon issuing from a hollow close 
to the river, I heard the bay within a quarter of a 
mile, and the jungle in this part being more open, I 
put on extra steam and was soon up. Ye gods, 
what a pair of antlers ! what a splendid stag ! There 
he stood in the middle of the river, knee-deep, 
with the dogs around him, playing old Harry with 
the leaders of the pack whenever they showed signs 
of making an attack. 
“It was a splendid sight, and it was delightful to 
see the joy of the dogs as they welcomed me upon 
arrival. Lucifer, Bran, and Hecate all left the bay, 
and came up to me wagging their tails, and then 
once more returned to their work, to fight. Bertram 
was too absorbed in the excitement of the battle to 
think of anything but the game before him. I 
never saw a dog more regardless of punishment. 
He was struck down every minute, but he never¬ 
theless returned to the charge with redoubled fury, 
and always retained his place as the first to lead in 
when any chance opened for attack. 
“ All this courage was useless ; the stag was so 
quick in repelling, that the dogs, who were almost 
swimming, had no chance. Accordingly I drew my 
