The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-05-19

1
| stragglers come up.
Well, here is start at all events the
beaters and dogs have struck into the
woods at last, whooping and shouting
and we are to go around TO path hall
a mile OIL, and post ourselves along it.
waiting for the game. 1t is my private
opinion that we shall have 10 wait long
enough, and that the game will be
driven far enough, with all this noise,
before we get there: but I kept it to
myself like prudent individual. and
though | see one dog-my little friend
whipped of his scent after he had
given tongue, because he was not 60
ing with the others, ] shut my ewes to
it, and fastening round with the rest,
am posted by order among some brush
wood, and wait the event. 1t is weary
work this, waiting, and it lasts nearly
two hours, during which there falls a
sharp shower, my feet got wet and
cold, and | know my nose must be blue,
so light cigar again and warm it.
] do not feel quite easy about my broth
er sportsmen, who know are posted in
all directions around me, and some of
them did not seem very familiar with
the guns they carried-invariably on
full cock, a detestable and alarming
method but, ensconcing myself snugly
between two trees, I think there is a
fair chance of my not being hit, in
case of an accident, and pass the time
in il !, thinking Of the snug library | have
left behind me at the chateau.
Whoop! whoop! The horn sounds
again, and the dogs are giving tongue
bravely. Bang at the other end of the
woods. Hdlloa The boars are a-foot!
Stand fast The boars! the boars -
Bang, bang, and the sharp cry of a
wounded roebuck. like that of a child
in pain, is heard but still the dogs give
tongue, and they have evidently got
scent of band of marcassins (young
wildboar Hark, that is the voice of
my little friend: yelp-yeld! yiow-
yiow! | have confidence in my little
friend, and he yelps nearer and nearer.
Here they come! five little pigs snort
ing and scattering, with their snouts
near the ground. / kneel down. con-
cealed by the brushwood, and think
will have one of them, when l hear
deeper grunt, and fine boar probably
the respectable papa of the family, ap-
pears behind stout trot, little beyond
his natural peace, and there is my
small ambitious friend yelping at his
heels. | change my aim, and the next
moment the boar rolls over with his
of-forepaw broken near the shoulder,
and my small friend closes with his
immense antagonist. All! little dog,
it is fine thing TO be brave, but it IS
well to measure the inches of foe.
In moment you will be thrown into
the air; and sure enough you are
Another ball in the neck seems only to
increase the rage of your antagonist.
Alas. my little friend! if you had only
waited until the other dogs had come
up, and had yelped at respectful dis
iance, you need not have lost your life.
Six hounds, and some of good size and
spirit are now barking furiously at the
wounded animal, and none dare close
but one, who is thrown, ripped up by
the gigantic tusks of the wild beast. |
just in the same manner as my deceased
little friend. But now, attracted by the
firing and the noise of the dogs, the
whole hunt has come up. /, too, have
loaded again. There is a sharp volley,
and the gallant beast is struck in a vital |
part, jumps once spasmodically, in spite
IF his wounded legs, gives one long
shrek, and rolls over-just as peal Of
village bells come ringing along |
stray wind, first like band Of Joyous
singers, and then more solemnly-and |
hardly feel half reconciled TO nv |
work.
A dinner of milk soup, boiled beef,
.usty bacon (they have begun to make |
bacon in France), and roast leg of |
mutton, with some excellent cognac,
made of prunes Il do not trust the vii
age winel completes the day, and the
lext, and the next; though ON the third,
Is there is high wind, we get no sport.
We have come out among the woods
or week; but | notice at the end of |
he third day unmistakeable signs of a
lesire to return home, which confess
share though silently. Some are
lnxious about their letters, some about
heir wives, some about their sweet
learts, some about their farms or their
tables and, all at once (nobody knows
low or with whom it originated), an
dea seems to be growing general,
hat it is bad season of the year for
hooting, that the weather is against
is. and that the dogs won't work, nor
he keepers: and, in word, that we
lad better go home.
And home we go; although-having
ent away our own horses and carri-
ges-in the rather singular fashion of
eing seated two abreast npon trnsses
straw for seats, and in Wagons with
ut springs. It's after an unconscious
lie deal of jolting, and with an amazing
ppetite, that | find myself between
and O'clock in the evening in the
ntiquated chamber, dressing for din
er.
The Ba6fed Lawyer.-At the last sit.
r AZ /