Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-24


VIII your nag stand tire r.
II really do not know-I never have triec
him."
That's bad," rejoined the Colonel he mus
be taught, or else he will lay you sprawling."
With this he pulled the trigger of his gun
this was followed by loud explosion
horse shyed off, reared and down [ came.
Il see he can't stand fire" said the Colone
seriously, while the entire company, excepting
myself, burst into spontaneous fit of laughter
|, finding that [ was not hurt by the fall
thought it the wisest policy to pocket the joke
and laugh with the rest.
After journey of several miles, the company
halted for a consultation. The activity of the
beagles and their half-smothered yelps, proved
that game was in the vicinity and it was agreed
that each man should take stand, while the
hounds were driven into the slashes to wake ur
the game, which, it was presumed would not
take to either of the rivers, but seek escape al
one of the stands Aposition was assigned me-
with instructions to k eep my gun ready cooked
and preserve silence if the animal should pass
within range OF my piece, l, OF course, was tc
blaze away.
The dogs were busily securing the under.
growth, and silence reigned for nearly an hour.
At length the distant cry Of the hounds an
nounced that they had started the game
Louder and louder their yell echoed through
the mighty forest, and my heart beat wildly as
the strange music filled the calm air. Uncle
Joe, who was stretched out on bed of dried
leaves near me, was fairly startled from his syl-
van slumber by the din, and, in asubdued tone,
he thus addressed his mule
Jim, yer hear dat? Golly, dat am de mu-
sic next to my boy Pete's gourd banjo. What
yer stan dar SO solemncoy for, when yer
'spects ebery minnit to be run down by buck
,cIo Ilro'c T
marster, am yer gun cockedY' continued he,
addressing me; 'kase 'specks dat varmint S
comm dis way Don't yer hear de branches
snappin' to yer right, and de dry leaves kickin'
up a bobber, too? Dar-dar-he isl Spread
yersef, marster let her rip!
With this word of command, the old negro
leaped as high as his cart saw the stag
plunging directly towards me, his antlers rest
ing upon his back and bis large eyes flashing
fire. Scarcely knowing what | did I levelled
my gun--pulled the trigger, and down fell the
noble animal; pierced by my balls directly in
the forehead After several throes and some
paving the creature expired.
Joe seeing that was little dumfounded at
my exploit, Immediately drew a large knife from
his pocket, approached the fallen animal and
nebber speak anoder word arter dat.
In a few moments the dogs came up, and Joe
found ample work in keeping them off the car
case then, one by one, rode up the hunters
from the different stands, each congratulatlng
me ON my skill and courage. Colonel Hopkin-
son warmly shook me by the hand, and in
formed me that was to be crowned that night
by any young lady Of the company that might
choose to select. But, as this was the first deer
[ had evershot, there were yet some ceremonies
to be performed which custom sanctioned. He
asked the gentlemen to gather round the dead
buck, which they did. He then told me to ap-
proach and stand in the centre. 10 this II re-
quest, | good naturedly complied with. The
open the buck S body, and then, with the reek-
ing blade elevated above his head he thus ad
dressed some imaginary guardian Of the forest
20 Zemial wild hunter Of the Congaree,
hear u.s. hear us, while thus we call upon you
to witness and approve Of our baptism of this
young disciple, who has so unex xpectedly signal
lied himself Be with him, 0, Zemial as
long as he knows how to take sight and pull a
trigger"
Here he thrust both his followed hands into
the belly of the stag-and, drawing them out
filed with blood, dashed the contents, to my
utter astonishment, into my face and over my
starched shirt bosom. [ must confess | was
half inclined to resent the indignity-but was
prevented by three cheers for the newly initiated
hunter and the captured buck.
'No offence is intended, my young friend, .
said the Colonel, laughing I'VE have all been
baptized. You are entitled to the hind quar-
ters of the buck, and must carry them home
behind your saddle. There will be a large com
pany OF ladies at the house today-so you must
prepare yourself for you will be the tton Of the
occasion, and, probably, may have the good luck
to bring down another dear.
eff do, am [ to have another baptism 2
asked I.
''Not with blood-but good old rye, y was the
response
| washed the crimson costing from my face
though my shirt bosom and vest had to carry
home the insignia of my triumph; and, after q
jovial repast, accompanied by song and sentl
ment, the company mounted their chargers sno
Joe his cart after having placed the hinder
skinned and cleaned upon my horse, vhichap
peared very adverse to carrying double. The
homeward journey was accomplished withou
any extraordinary occurrence, if | except the
grand entire of the cavalcade into the enclosure
through the gate. The portico In front OF the
house was filed with ladies', who, as soon az
they learnt who was the deer-kier, commenced
shouting and waving their cambrics, which en-
thusiastic reception so startled my untutoreC
nag, who bore the burden Of mutton as well al
the venison, that he reared and kicked to sucl
degree that the saddle girth broke, and ht
jumped completely from under his rider, ant
made his way leasurey for the stable, leaving
me, with the dear bought trophy, sprawling OF
the ground:
"a good lick !" shouted the Colonel. ''You
nag, sir, is desirous of changing quarters; he
improving fast, for he has dropped the buck
and taken to the dear ahead.
These Jokes were not in the least consoling t.
young tyro like ME. | arose from my awk
ward position, made a clumsy acknowledgment
of the compliment to the ladies, and skulket
off to my room to consult my toilet, and if pos
sible, obliterate from my person all marks o
the murder most foul. -
Just before the company were summoned tt
dinner, an ox-horn was sounded by double
lupged negro on the lawn in front Of the man
sion, and all assembled under the widespread
ing shadow of an old elm tree for the purpose
of witnessing the coronation of the successful
hunter had selected Miss Sarah, the timiC
and blushing daughter Of our host, as the belle
of the day. The wreath was composed of oal
leaves and pine-knots, ingeniously woven to
gether by the ladies. This the gentle Saral
tremblingly placed upon my brow, while
knelt at her feet with all the pride and grac.
of knight of old. Three hearty cheers rem
the air, accompanied by dozen, ox-horns ant
the deafening yell Of hounds, who are sure t.
open in full chorus when the horn leads
This ceremony over, the company gathered
of the stag Good humor and sentiment pre-
tic speeches delivered As the wine appeared
81, l,1; dicar,-oora1 apJ loc