The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-12-18

raw and bleeding; yet the scent OF game
would cure all soreness about them.
Breakfast being announced, the remains OF
Of the pot.pie were soon besleged.
After potpieins our appetlte we satisheu
our hospitable friends for their kindness, ana
departed On our third days chase, or ta'al
day for the year!ing doe
| BY following the old trail we learned that
the quarry had resorted to her usual strategy
to battle the hounds, by running among a
herd of cattle and through shed in which
was kennel OF cur dogs that attacked our
hounds and with the assistance OF their Hit
crate master prevented their further progress
for the time being. The hounds, on coming
to where they were driven from the trail the
previous day, began hunting out tor their old
loss, which they soon struck, and bounced the
deer Away they went, their speed was ex
cellept notwithstanding the condition of their
feet We were within mile OF Racks creek,
and miles from Pontiac About ten clock
the wind increased to a furious gale and a
keen northwestern snow storm set In which
made 1t exceedingly disagreeable for even
muffled hunters. Every fresh gust or the tu.
ries waited to the winds bit OF our wee
hopes of capturing the game The deer ran
with the wind, while the roaring clements
carried with them the baying of the hounds,
the trail, leaving US, as last resort to rowel
deep the spur aud speed along In sight OF the
chase, which, too was often lost in the blind
ing snow.
But on, on we sped over the wild prairie,
now IN hearing, and then in sight OF our "a
nous pack, which seemed to realize that VIC
tory was only to be crowned by their utmost
efforts. AT every leap they appeared to re-
double their exertions Well did they know
their only chance of overtaking the quarry
was by keeping the trail warm. One loss, q
cold trail, and the deer would win, for the
whirllng snow filled her trail as fast as IT
was made For long hours was thus tine
race kept up by man and horse and hound
and deer, before the willy quarry began to flag.
"Taly.how Twenty rods ahead, we dimly
get for the first time, through the binding
snow, glimpse of the flying prey. Down
went the loshes, in went the spurs, while the
steeds dashed forward, neck aud neck, doub-
ling their speed.
"Tallyho The dogs catch sight for the
each other as to which should be the first TO
the death throe, and the poor deer, long since
awakened to the peril of her situation, used
every sinew to escape her keen pursuers
Poor thing she made none of those high,
graceful and defying bounds, with head and
tail erect, like when she jumped the first day
No, twas speed was wanting now; she ran
low and smooth yet swift, looking no larg
er than hound.
Though the storm was perilous, what could
equal the enthusiasm of that moment? What
exultation! Such waking bliss, such joyous
feelings seldom pervaded man. Did we envy
a Moss, or . Woodward, or a Kleiber chase
after an otd red with their well bred hounds
Did we grieve at the superiority Of PARIS
or Milliken's fam Gus breed of wolf and fox
hounds. Did we deny FOgle rollicking
ride on his favorite family "hoss"-faithfu
old "Bob,' with "Old Lead" on cold trail'
No, never! No envlous remembrance
clouded our minds as we dashed along, but
fetting the elements, GROWING our three days
chase with victory. No thought, no care, nc
anguish during that thrilling mOment-all
was heaven. The hunted doe and her pursu
ers struggled in full view.
On, on, we few to cheer our hounds or
their tagging prey. Such yells and wild hal
loos as escaped our expanded throats, accom-
panied by the tongueing of the hounds, the
whirr of lashes and clicking of steel clad
hoots amid the roaring storm was enough to
enliven the dust and rouse the spirit OF
"Nimrod, the mighty hunter The tagging
doe was steadily losing ground. The hounds
at every jump increased their speed. The
old doe stumbled, reeled, then fell. Old Ran
ger and his mates were ready for their work.
They were thrsting for her warm blood, and
ere she was on her feet again, leaped upon
her. She regained her feet only to be hurled
to the ground again by her savage foes. The
snow was already crimsoned with her life
blood. She struggled hard but all in vain
She plated and all was over.
She had nipped the last bud from the forest
tree; she had heard the deep-mouthed buck.
hounds heavy bay for the last time; she had
climbed the craggy bluffs, crossed the deep
hollows and swift waters of the VermIllion
never to return.
We arrived home, after a hard ride, Christ
mas morning in time for venison broil.