Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-02-01
PURSUED BY BLooDHoUNDs,


destrian, recently died, and a correspond
ent of London sporting newspaper re-
lates story which he heard from Mount
joys own lips which details some Of the
horrors of being pursued by bloodhounds.
Hearing Lord W., boast that his blood
hounds would track any living thing by
scent alone, Colonel A. wagered hun
dred guineas they would not track man,
and asked Mountjoy to win the wager
for him, assuring the startled pedestrian
there was DO danger of the dogs catching
him, as they were slow runners, and he
would take care sufficient start was al
lowed him; the object being simply to
test their powers OF scent. The trial
duly came off over three miles of ground
round Hampstead Heath. After the dogs
had shifted at Mountjoy's legs, he made
his way leisurely for half the course,
when the flag was dropped and the
hounds set loose. They tracked their
quarry splendidly, but were six hundred
yards behind when Mountloy reached the
inn at the end of the course and shut the
door upon them, outside of which they
howled their dissatisfaction until removed
by their keeper.
Disbelievers in the bioodhounds scent
were still unconvinccd, ayerring that they
had sighted the man for part of the jour
ney at least; and to settle the point be.
yond dispute, another match was made,
to be run at night, the distance this time
being but mile and a hall. Unsuspic
ious Of foul play, Mouniloy went gaiIy on
his way. but had not accomplished more
than two.thirds of the distance allowed
him by the conditions when his hair stood
on end, as the cry of the dogs, hot upon
his trail, reached his ears They had
purposely been slipped before the proper
time, without any warning "fur one
second" said he, IL stood siock-stlIl, as
If bad been frozen, and then dashed
away and ran, as have never done since
was in perfect training and condition.
but the cold sweat broke out from every
pore, and poured down my body, while
nv legs seemed like lead. and trcmbled
ali over. Still | kept desperately on,
while nearer and nearer came the deep
hoarse bay Of the hounds, as the scent
grew warmer and they knew they were
running up to their prey. ] thought |
was lost. Those few seconds were like
weeks, and wondered whether they
would grip me first by the leg or fly
straight at my throat Luckily, | did
not lose my head; and after the first mad
burst settled down and raced away At a
pace which knew would last the dis
lance; but still closer and closer came the
horrible CRY, that sounded like my death
knel: and in sheer desperation, pu,
on all the speed could. At last saw
the lights of the lonely little inn, and my
heart rose within ne; but at tina, very IN
slant the brl,cs broke out into fierce,
savage yell that told mo that they had
sighted me at last There WAS q small
garden in front of the house. and as
flew up 10 it | saw the gate was shut.
How | did il | never knew. but. blown
and exhausted with terror and tie pace
as was, cleared it, daricd through the
door, which fortunately stood open, and
slammed it TO, stood with nay back
against it. The lock had hardly closed
when bang, bang. agAins; the panels
came my terrible plrsurr,: AMI then they
lay down and yelled sayasely al finding
themselves baked Of their prey.
As soon as he felt himself safe, rage
took the place OF fear, and Seizing hold
of bottle, Mounjoy swore he would
brain Lord W. if he entered the place, a
threat he would have fulfilled hal not
those present 90; him out OF the room in
time to prevent a most jus;itiable homicide.