282 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
same place, and in which they travel to and fro, invariably set¬ 
ting their feet down in the old tracks. 
By observation of these facts, it is easy for a skilful guide to 
conduct a party to a ground selected over night, on which they 
shall be nearly certain of finding great sport on the morrow. 
The camping is performed much as the same operation has 
been described with regard to Moose and Cariboo hunting, on 
page 233, except that here it is usual to build temporary shan¬ 
ties of the wild cane, and thatch them with palmetto leaves, as 
a defence against the heavy dews and occasional showers. 
As soon as the brief but savory hunters’ breakfast is con¬ 
cluded, horses are saddled, weapons loaded, and the hounds 
called together, the party proceed silently and calmly to the 
place selected for the throwing off; and on reaching it, two or 
three of the oldest and most experienced hunters dismount and 
entering the cane-brake with the hounds, crawling through the 
dense thicket, now half-erect, now stooping, now on their hands 
and knees, lay them upon the trail of the animal, and endeavor 
to drive him out to their comrades in the open forest without. 
Some of these, as soon as the hounds were thrown into the 
brake, have hurried forward and taken up their stations along 
the margin of the thickest covert, at distant intervals one from 
the other, wherever, from the discovery of a path, or crossing 
place, as it is termed, or from any other indications, they think 
it likely the Bear may show himself; others continue in the 
saddle on either hand of the brake, until the burst and crash of 
tongues proclaim that the Bear is afoot, when they gallop for¬ 
ward helter-skelter, endeavoring to get ahead of the hunt, when 
they rush into the covert, and if they can head the quarry, often 
succeed in killing him before he is brought to bay. If they 
fail in this, or if the shot do not profe fatal, forward again is the 
word, until the prolonged clamor of the pack now confined to a 
single spot, and stationary, announces that the savage is at bay. 
Thereon ensues a headlong and determined rush into the 
thicket, in desperate but friendly rivalry of the hunters striving 
who shall obtain the honor of the first blood, and the death. 
