The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-26
TRACKED BY BLoopHouNps.
How . Famous Pedestrian Had to Foot # for
/. In #&# His Life.


Apropos Of the death of "Oid Mountjoy,"
the pedestrian, . correspondent of London
sporting newspaper relates the following
story, which he heard from Mountjoy's oga
lips: es.@a ..+ @7 #. .="asr
Hearing Lord W. boast that his blood
hounds would track any living thing by scent
alone, Colonel A. wagered 100 guineas
they would not track a man, ana asked
Mountjoy to win the wager for him, assuring
the startled pedestrian there was no danger
of the dogs catching him, as they were slow
runners, and he would take care sufficient
start was allowed him. The trial duly came
off over three miles of ground around Hamp-
ton Heath.
After the dogs had shifted at Mountjoy's
legs, he made his way leisurly for half the
course, when the flag was dropped and the
hounds set loose. They tracked their quarry
spIendidly, but were 600 yards behind when
Mountjoy reached the inn at the end of the
course, and shut the door upon them, out
side which they howled their dissatisfaction
until removed by their master.
Disbelievers i'm the bloodhound's scent
were still unconvinced, and to settle the
point another match was made to run at
night, the distance this time being but a
mile aud half. Unsuspicious of foul play,
Mounljoy went gayly on his way, but had
not accomplished more than two-thirds of
the distance allowed him by the conditions,
when his hair stood OH end, as the cry OF
the dogs hot upon his trail reached his ears.
They had been purposely slipped before the
proper time, without warning.
'For one second" said he, al stood stock
still, as If had been frozen, and then dashed
away aud ran as | had never done before
and have never done since. | was in perfect
Il aiming and condition, but the cold sweat
broke out from every pore, and poured down
INV body, while my legs seemed like lead
and trembled all over. Still / kept desper
ately on, while nearer and nearer came the
deep hoarse bay of the hounds, as the seem
grew warmer, and they knew they were run
ming up to their prey. thought | was lost
| Those few seconds were like weeks, and
wondered whether they would grip me frs
by the legs or fly straight at my throat
Luckily did not lose my head; and afte
the first mad burst settled down and racet
away at pace which knew would last th
distance; but still closer and closer CAM
the horrible cry, that sounded like my deatl
kuell; and, in sheer desperation, put oil
all the speed could. At last | saw tn
lights Of the lonely little inn, and my hear
rose within me but at that very instant TIN
brutes broke out into a fierce savage vel
that told me they had sighted me at last
There was small garden in front of tn
house, and as few up to it saw the gat
was shut. How did ii never knew; but
blown and exhausted with terror aud tn
pace as / was, cleared 1t, darted throug
the door, which fortunately stood open, and
slammi,ig it too, stood with my back agains
it. The lock had scarcely closed, whe
bang! bang! against the panels came M
terrible pursuers; and then they lay dow
and yelled savagely at finding themselye
balked of their prey"
As soon as he felt himself safe, rage too
, the place of fear, and seiziug hold Of bGttlt
Mountjoy swore he would brain Lo:d w
IL he entered the place-a threat he woul
, have fulfilled had not those present got hin
out of the room In time to prevent justiiiabl
homicide.