National Republican., 1875-12-02
a pEER HUNT.

Scene in tbs Mountains-Ths Wounded Buck.
Once more we are in the midst OF the snelan-
choly days. Once more the golden season, with
It's whispering breeEes and its mystic beauty, has
LEFT US. Nature has again thrown of her robe OF
rich warm colors, and again the woods are brown
and bare. 1t is early morning. and the first gray
streaks are appearing in the east above tnemoun-
tains.
Standing again upon the top Of old North
mountain, I look upon the scene of mountain,
valley, field and forest before me, and my heart
strings vibrate with happy recollections. My
soul is lled with the perfect peace and that
reigns in the little valley yet sleeping below me.
filled with the grandeur OF the rocky bluffs
about me; filed with the beauty Of the morning
light as 1t breaks through the dark pines upon
Hemmed in by high, pIne.czpped Shenaudoahs,
the good people Of this valley have few Of the
cares or troubles Of those In the outside hurry
sRurry world, but their lives are as peaceful and
serene as the Utopia within which they dwell.
Busy, fuctuatipg life has never invaded the quiet
OF This valley oil rest. Here the graceful deer,
with frosty breath, steps Liz htly to the rivera
side, and drinking Of its pure, sweet waters listens
for moment with uplifted loot, then disappears
ing sun grows warm, thenimble squirrel scampers
over swaying boughs. barking szueily At noisy
Jay, who makes the wild wood echo with his cry.
Here the hungry fox creeps stealthily through
the brown, fallen leaves in search OF nice fat hen
wherevith TO settle bis empty stomach. Here the
Z
brooke. From a shadowy dell comes the hollow
drumming Of the dusky pheasant and the shrili
call Of the wild turkey.
The elories of a clear, frosty night have dis
solved into the glories OF dawn, but . slumberous
calm yet rests over valley and mountain. Stand
ing with loaded gun listen for the nrst sound Of
the chase. Everything Is white with frost, and
the air, though chilly, invigorates and strength
the leafiess underbrush, or another leaf after
clipging until King Frost has grown too strong
for IT, Is at last loosened from Its mother twIg and
S9eass he suiet Il Of Ss morning until soon there
comes family echoing across spur Of the noun
tain the bay Of the hounds. Al nrst the sound is
q long way OF, but gradually grows more distinct
and clear, then suddenly ceasing, as the hounds
enter some deep ravine, When 1 hear IL again
the clear, deep bay Of Lee cuts through the crisp
ment grasp more tightly my Run, and keep
my eyes fastened upon the ravine above me, for
to appear. Again the yelps Of the dogs grow
fainter, and even Lees voice is almost lost for
moment. My hands begin to tremble, and stoop
to catch the first sound OF the coming deer. a
silence. almost painful, prevails. l start as q
falling leaf crops in frcnt Of me. tvig cracks
beneath my feet, sending q cold thrill up my
back. My gun is coes led and my hDger on the
trigger. A shadow III; acress the ground before
me, ana instnctively j Orin the gun to my shoul-
hosrse croaking OF solitary crow, as It hAps It's
wings and sails down the mountain side. Again
all is quite, but for only moment.
Suddenly from the heavy wotds at my right the
ringing bay of the HOUNDS comes with startling
clearness, followed Instantly by tho quick. sharp
yelps that tell that the game Is nigh. hear far
through the mdeIbrush tho cracking Of twlgs
and the crushing Of dried leaves. Here bounding
over logs ana rocks comes the feet red buck; his
head thrown back until hts anters touch his back.
Glancing quickly along the barrels, hre first
one and Instantly the other, then jump through
the smoke ard tear my way through the tangled
bushes. caring not for bruises or scratches. see
in the bushes the PROSTATE form Of the deer. He
strives TO gain his feet, but in vain. He has re-
ceived his death wound. Pulling my kniie from
It's Lheathe, and ersspipg the antlers Of the buck
firmly with my left hand, sunk the shining blade
deep In his throat, when. with rolling eyes and
ard one bleat Of agony, be makes one more effort
TO Iise but falls back into the bushes dead. Just
as the dear falls. Lee, followed by Eugenle and
Nero, come tearing through the brush with lap
ping tongues and bleeding mouths, and spring
Tor the dear. Seizing stick i beat them off,
while I raise my revolver and fire three shots in
suecession-a signal to the.other hunters. Then,
after some difficulty in getting the dogs lashed
and tied convenient saplinYs, sit down To take
breath, amidst q perfect din Of prolonged bowls
from the painting dogs. But through It all three
shots In answer TO my signal echo across from
rock to rock, and the dogs cease their bayiDg and
whine anxiously.
Soon q LOUD halloo rings through the woods,
snc answer it, the hounds prieSing up their
silky ears and listening. In 4 moment more the
boys appear, and at the sight of the buck madethe
mountains echo with their shouts. N.