The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-12-03
Rabbit Hunting in Louisiana.
BY B. r. MONTEsANo, ESQ.

BY Is. Is. AtONIESANO, EStS.
In the thickly settled portions of Lou
isiana, where larger game is scarce, rabbit
hunting, in view of the many accomlani-
ments of dogs, negroes, horns, horses, etc,
to the sport, is elevated to degree, as far
as fun and excitement are concerned, on
a level with fox hunting in Virginia, or
deer stalking in the West. Mae and l
had Joined in the hunt several times, and
he was so wound up i'll the excitement that
he almost totally neglected his studies.
and spent the most of his time in the
back yard of his Office, watching the
grosoh and sport of three rabbit pups for
which he had been fool enough to give
twenty-five dollars apiece. To hear him
talk, you'd believe those mongrel, spotted,
long cared hounds were worth all the
dogs in the country. A few weeks after
he had purchased them, we were invited
to participate in grand rabbit hunt, that
was to take place at Col. Bomerang's
place, about twelve miles from Redstick
Mac could talk of nothing else but this
hunt, from the time we first heard Of it
until we found ourselves on the Colonel's
broad porch enjoying the hearty grips of
some thirty young Creoles, then and there
assembled to. participate in the hunt.
1t was a clear, cold, bracing December
morning, and the parlor being full of girls,
Mac was soon among them, making des-
perate attempts at talking French, whilst
the rest of us made the necessary prepa-
raticns for the inroad among the rabbits
In few moments the Colonel's horn had
sounded the starting notes, and more
dogs gathered together in a moment than
you could shake stick at. The bowling
and yelling were terrific, until the Colonel
gave them in charge of an old negro
whipper-in, who started with them about
half an hour before the party left the
premises. Mac, however, kept his twen-
ty-fve 'dellar pups with him, against the
remonstrances of the old hunters who
told him they would uptrip us and run a
splendid chance of getting shot. Never
mind, I'll take care Of that" quoth Mac,
and off we toddled for the old fields, dis
tant about four miles.
After brisk walk, we arrived in the
first old field and the sport began. The
field was studded with clumps of black
berry bushes, some not larger than mans
hat, and others towering up as high as
our heads Macs dogs were constant
source of botheration to us, and the COM
pany were much scattered in consequence
of their frequent running between our
legs. Whilst we were all watching the
main pack, which was sbirting the field,
tail up and nose down, Macs dogs start
ed little rabbit directly under his feet.
Mac gave shrill yell and let fly both
barrels in the air, whilst the whole crowd
simultaneously let fly at the rabbit; when
the smoke cleared away, a few .feathery
clumps of rabbit fur floating in the air
were all that remained of ,eotton-tail
whilst two of Macs twenty-five dollar
pups were kicking their last, and the Other
was kiting off at a tremendous pace, OF
three legs, bowling and yelping as if the
day of Judgment was at hand. Mac him
self was minus coat-tail, and was cussine
in French and English at an awful rate
Disregardlng our regrets and apologies
he gave one of his defunct dogs parting
kick, whistled to the other, and remarkin,
''that if he couldn't hunt with gentleme1
he wouldn't hunt at ALL" he put off t,
hunt in neighboring field by himself
Don't go there Mac, the Colonel
Brahma bull is kept in that field"
"Go to grass! you set of cusses," re
piled that worthy individual as he slouch
ed his hat and put off for the fence whic
separated the fields.
"You'll be sorry you didn't take m
advice" responded a young man, who, o
account Of his fragrant breath, general
went by the name of "Onions." -.
But Mae proceeded doggedly On hi
way, and we soon had business enough {
our own to attend to. Rabbit after raj
! bit was started and slain, and the shar
crack of Macs double barrel, ever an
t anon, denoted that that individual wa
, doing a good business on his own az
count. We had = plenty of sport, an
leaving the part Of the field we had bee