The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-07-27

ment flashed upon me. "FoIlow me,
comrades. "We'll fight the bloodhounds
on the cliff"
Ipolnted upward. A yell from LIN
coin announced his approval.
"Hoorey.." he cried, leaping on the bank;
mhat IDEAS just like We, Cap. Hoorey !
Now, boys, for the bluff"
Next moment we were straining up the
gorge that led to the precipice. And the
next, we had reached the highest point,
where the cliff, by bold projection, butt
ed over the stream. There wasa level
platform, covered with tuhed grass, aud
upon this we took our stand. We stood,
Tor some moments, gathering breath, and
nerving ourselves for the desperate strug-
gle.
conld not help looking over the pr.c-
Ipice. 1t was a fearful sight. Below in
vertical line, two hundred feet below
the stream. rushing through the canon,
broke upon bed of sharp, Jagged rocks,
and then gided on, in seethlng, snow
white foam. There was no object between
the eye ard water; no ju,ting ledge-not
even tree to break the iall-nothlng but
the splkey bouIders below, and the foaning
torrent that washed them! 1t was some
minutes before our unnatural enemies made
their appearance, but every howl sounded
nearer aud nearer. Our trail was warm
and we knew they were seeming it on
run. At length the bushes cracked, and
we could see their white breasts cleaning
through the leaves. A few more springs
and the foremost bloodhound bounded out
upon the bank, and, throwing open his
broad jaws, uttered h,deous sgrowl' He
was at fault where We had entered the
water. His comrades now dashed out of
the thlcket, and, joining IN the chorus of
disappointment, scattered among the stones
An old dog Scared and cunning--kept
along the bank, until he reached the top
of the canon. This was where we had
made our crossing Here the hound en-
tered the channel, and, spr,ngine from
rock TO rcck, reached the point where We
had dragged ourselves out OF the water. A
short yelp announced to his comrades that
he had lifted the scent; and they all threw
up their noses, and came galloping down.
There was swift current, between two
bonld-rs of basalt We had eaped this.
Tie old dog reached it, and stood straining
upon the spring, when Lincoln fired, and
the hound, with one short svough,' drop
ped upon his head, and was carried off
like flash.
"Counts one less to pitch over" said
the hunter, reloadlng his rifle.
Without appearing TO notice The strange
conduct of their leader, the others crossed
in string, and taking the warm trail,
came yelling up the pass. I, was gras-
sv slope such as is often seen between
two tables of cIif--and, as the dogs
strained upward, we could see their white
langs, and the red blood that had baitsd
them clo,ted along their Jaws. Another
crack from the rifle OF Lincoln, and the
foremost hound turrbled back down the
gorge.
"fwo rubbed out" cried the hunter,
and at the same moment saw him throw
his rifle to The ground.
The hounds kept the trail no longer.
Their quarry was before thsm, their how
ling ended, and they sprang upon us with
the silence of the assassin. The next mo-
meot we were mingled together, dogs and
men, in the fearful struggle of life and
death l know not how long this strange
encounter lasted. It.It myself graphing
with the tawny monsters, and hurting ihsm
over the cliff: They sprans at my throat,
and l threw out my arms, thrus,ing them
fcarlessly between the shining rows Of
teeth. Then was free again, and seizing
a leg or tail, or the louise flaps Of the neck,
dragged savage brute toward the brink,
and summoning all my strength, dashed
him against the brow, that he might tum.
bic bowling over. Once I lost my bal
ance, and nearly staggered over the prec-
'pice; and, at length, painting, bleeding,
and exhausted, fell TO the earth. I could
struggle no longer. looked around for
my comrades. Clawley and Raoul had
sank upon the grass, and lay torn and
bleeding. Lincoln and Chane holding a
hound, were balancing him over the bluff.
"Now, Mutthe'," cried the hunter, sei,
hun good hest, and see if we kin pitch
him clare on the tother side; he-voop.
hoo"
And with this ejaculation, the kicking
animal was launched into the air. could
not resist looking after. The yellow body
bounded from tbs face OF the opposite cliff,
and fell, ~ith heavy splash, INTO the
water, below. He was the last of the
pack!
Pursuit OF PLEAsURE.-Cast an eve
into the grey world; what see we, for
the most part, but a set Of queruious,
emaclated fluttering, fantastlcal beings,