Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-09-10
Capturing a Deer.


in Kentucky In an hour or so VIC first
heard the distant bay OF the hounds. :
From the cry, as 1t continued, the deer
seemed to be circling around in the hills,
instead Of making straight run for the
river, as was usual. We remained al
most stationary, not knowing which
course theshunt would take, and the
music became less aud less, until We
heard the long bay Of one hound only.
But, to our great joy, that voice seemed
to be coming our way. From the length
Of time the game had been afoot, we
concluded that the dogs had become
tired and left the trail, with the excep-
ton Of the staunch old hound, whose
voice we could occasionally lear, as he
unhinchlngly followed the quarry
Nearer and nearer came the sound
We dismounted, tightened girths and
waited. Our horses were as highly ex-
cited as ourselves, and we could with
difficulty curb their impatience. We
were stationed on the high road leading
toward the village, and the deer was
evidently running in that direction. At
length he came, a noble buck, gallantly
bounding through the woods in a line
parallel with the road, and not more
than a hundred yards from US. Weput
snurs TO our horses and followed.
With the party was a boy sixteen
wears old, who had never before seen
deer in the woods, and was almost
c.azcd with excitement. AS he rode by
nv side he said it looked as big ae an
elephant On we drove, occasionally
catching a glimpse of the buck as he
dashed through the woods. He was
very tired. The dogs had pressed him
hard and he had probably run twenty
miles before be arrived at the point
where we met him. Soon the noble old
hound came in sight, and as be saw US
he burst into such melody that we
ioined him at the utmost stretch OF our
lungs. On we pressed, rapidly ap'
preaching the village, directly through
which the chase seemed fated to take US.
Soon we camc to large cornheld, which
was surrounded by staksd and rider
ed fence SIX feet high. We could not
Jump it, and looked to see where the
deer had gone in. We found the place.
and tearing of the top rail leaped our
horses into the corn. Rushing through
we arriys 4 at the other extremity OF the
field lust in time to see the deer attempt
to lump the fence. The dog was close
at his heels and sprang upon him. and
catching him by the flank prevented his
leap. The poor animal was evidently
worn out with his long run, but he GAL
lantly charged the dog, and leaping over
him ran gallantly back toward the point
at which he had entered the field. We
turned likewise, and taking different tur-
rows among the corn, pressed our horses
to the top of their speed. Ny little
friend rode between me and eur COM
panion. He rode leaning over his horses
neck, gazing straight ahead and yelling
like madman. l thought OF a ravine
luna,ic: The corn was high and the dust
so thick from the trampliug vi SO many
animals that q. length l could see meth
ing. but all at once l heard a crash,
struggle, shout:
"Tve got him I've got him! Come
quickv
I rode toward the voice, and 10 the
Young lunatic on the ground was strig'
cling with the deer. Fortunately The
animal was so exhausted by his long rur
that the boy could pretty nearly handle
him; but horns, hoofs, legs, arms, boy
deer and dog were rather promiscuously
mixed in a cloud of dust that enyelopeC
them when l came in sight. l sprans
from my horse and drew my huntini
knife across the throat OF the animnl. a
the same time seizlng the boy by thu
collar and drawing him away. Aite'
resting a few minutes he told me that
seeing the deer rush past him, he coult
not resist the temptation, and threw
himself of his horse upon the back OF thu
hunted animal, slasping bis arms roun(
his neck. The shock threw the deer 4
the ground. We put the dead anima
on one Of the horses, aud rode through
the village, and our young gentleman
was the hero of the Springs the rest o
the season.