The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-01-18

"WelI WILL my son, do you know that thi,
day very forcibly reminds me Of the day on which
we struck the last deer trail on the NermillionN
saws "Old Theron" who has almost reached hi
three score wears, Is he sits, with decent grace
upon his face, at the south window, looking GU
ON the ycranda at Old R,,ntcr and his mates that
have lust come up from their kennel To obtain 4
rcnial ray of "old SOL" the illumnator.
Yes, WesSs Elitors with such day as thi'
there hangs tale
II haunts me still, though many year has fled
5 Like some wild melody
, 1t was Just such morning aS this twelve years
ago, when the dccp.toned bayng Of St ilubcrts
breed and the rcvcilc OF the huntsmcns mcllo"
|. horns awakened the echoes Of the Nermlillon
forest reused the timcrouS deer from its native
iunrlc and disturbed the morning SAUNDERS oi
the proving wolf
II was IL delightful morning for the soul,invig
Grating chase The earth was robcd in about
twelve inches Of snow, which printed nicely ana
there were no disturbing winds or drifting snow
to mar our pleasing anticipations. The mir was
moist and calm; and the heavy white frost, which
almost crsped beneath our horses feet, beaded
itself upon the forest trees and shrubs until wc
were happy with the thoughts Of being in the
hunters paradise.
Yes, it was Just such another morning As this
The similarity is so great that seem once more
transplan,cd among the snow-clad ccdars, fallen
rocks and icy pyramids of Bailey's Falls, keeping
time to the music Of hounds and horns which
cleft the morning air round many An insulated
mass.
On the morning in question, twelve years ago,
after riding i've or six miles, We reached our
hunting grOunds-immediately back OF the old
Farm Ridge Seminary buidng-just as the grey
dawn was breaking over the eastern Ridges, In
a short time Old Rangers deep-toncd bass and
Flutes Clarion concert burst on the morning air,
announcing the striking of a trail In an instant
every sieed was refined. "Old Theron brushed
his silver locks back from his "pcrceptive organs
for different sounds" to catch the popularity of
the next tongue TO decide whether the trail was
made by deer wolf or fox;
Well could his ear in eCstacy
/ Distinguish every tone
| That filled the chorus Of the fray.
Just then old Charms shrill octave and Drives
bugle blast join in the swelling strain then old
Fora's silver notes, sweet and clear rs the war
bling of a bird; then True Boys deep baritone,
and Leads rich tcnor,--yoiccs Of melting tender
ness, as sweet and musical as bright Apollo'a
Lutte. Twas then "Jld Theron " shouted: " It's
deer, boys! ride, ride for the river, my ladsn'
| All, met the rapture dwelling within our breasts,
Love, Hope and Joy, fair Pleasures smiling
train, sat mantled on our brows as We rode in
our stirrups ana the inpatient steeGs, ever eager
| r uhn h hanri ne liz,
"thc fierce dragoon, through battles food"
sweeping forward with furious strides over the
hills and through the valleys, unhecding the
| foam on their tirelcss sides. The rafting pace
of the well-raincd steeds, the yells Of the eager
pack the clear ringing notes of the huntsmen's
horns and tally hos, all conspired to quicken our
pulse, flush our checks and impart new vgor to
our frames. Reader, did you ever hear ty If
| not your life has been waste OF wcariSome
hours, unadorned by the rose of enjoyment.
The dogs were making splendid running, and
away we went, each striving by bold, fearless
and rapid riding through the painless woods to
keep rs near as possible to the laundering chase
Deer in being pursued by hounds, after being
jumped, frat make circle and then, If crowded,
break for the water; or if greatly alarmed, will
take straight run over strange territory, lcar-
ing its forest haunts entirely. Hence it is
sary that the hunters perform the proud and tri-
umphant feat of keeping pace with the fleet and
musical pack If they wish to enjoy the soulen-
| liyenng chase or "bc in at the death" This is
BY far the manicr and noblcr style Of hunting
the dccr--thc most celebrating and spirit-stir
| ing. The game is given a chance for its life. If
| by speed endurance or cunning il can cyade its
pursuers well and good. 1t is not crcpt upon
| by murdcrous " still hunter" with rifle in hand
rs stealthy cushioned foot panther creep.
upon its prey without giving notice to the in
tended victim Of the approach of a lurking and
dangerous foe. Neither is it cut down MS it passes
a runway or dashes lmpctuously along before
the music of the rafting chase 10y "brindicd
cdtdn,ouDt" with gun in hand, lying high in the
branches to catch his prey. No. As We catch
sight of the elegant and graceful form, the
spreading antlcrs, or the snowy flag, of the
beautiful and bounding dear as it flies before the
yelling pack, we bid him God speed. Had |, in
my juvenile days been guilty of such ncfarious
deed ~ to shoot down fox or deer before the
hounds, | would have received from "Od The
ron's" patcrnal paw such IA Christening rs would
nave incapacitatcd me from sitting in \ shaftcr
ON the back of old Rowdy for weeks and weeks
thereafter.
| Having made its wontrd circle, the buck struck
for the river and we, having left Theron" IN the
rear, cxcrtcd every siucw to head him oil, but be
| M too fleet for our hunters, he gained the
stream far in our advance. On reaching com
handing point and looking down the river for
nearly II mile, We were greatly surprised to see
the old monarch, with head and iag erect Gid
| ing over the frozen stream (Which was covered
with thin slush on top the icc) and solitary
horscman-" Old Theron" "by mighty shouts,
Norva of the Grampian llills'-cmerging from
the mouth of II deep ravnc, close upon the fly
ling prey. Were bis eyes open? Yes; and hi,
mouth too, for such uncarthy yclls as he trans
lated To the vaults Of heaven while urging his
knccsprung, one-cycd nag over the CONCEALED
waters were enough To have paruyzrd the stay,