Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-17
Chased by BIOodhounds.


Apropos of the death OF "Old Mount
JOY" "A well-known English pedestrian,
a correspondent OF n London newspaper
related story he heard from Mount
joys own lips, story so discreditable OF
one of the chief actors that IL were tc
be wished that the other labored under
n delusion. Hearing Lord w. boast that
his bloodhounds would track any living
thing, by scent alone, Colonel A. wager
ed hundred guineas they would not
track man, and asked Mountjoy TO
win the wager for him, assur-
ing the startled pedestrian there
was no danger OF the
dogs catching him, as they were slow
runners, and he would take care sufli-
cient start was allowed him; the object
being simply TO test their power ofscent.
The trial duly came off over three miles
of ground round Hampstead Heath.
After the dogs had shifted at
Mountioy'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 splen-
didly, but were six hundred yards
behind when Mountjoy reached the inn
Mt the end of the course, and shut the
door upon them. outside which they
howled their dissatisfaction until re-
moved by their keeper.
Disbelievers in the bloodhounds'
scent were still unconvinced, averring
that they had sighted the man for part
of the journey at least; and TO settle the
point beyond dispute, another match
was made, TO be run at night, the dis
tance this time being but mile and a
hall. Unsuspicious of foul play, Mount
JOY went Rayly on his way, but had not
accomplished more than two-thirds OF
the distance allowed him by the condi-
tions when his hair stood on end, as the
baying of the dogs, hot upon his trail,
reached his ears. They had been pur-
posely slipped before the proper time,
without any warning. For one
second" said he, II stood stock
still as If | had been frozen. and
then dashed away and ran as | had
never done before, and 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 my legs seemed like lead,
and trembled all over. Still kept des-
perately 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 wonder
ed whether they would grip me first by
the leg or fly straight at my throat.
Luckily, did not Jose my head, and
after the first mad burst | settled down
and raced away st pace which ] knew
would last the distance; but still closer
and closer came the horrible cry. that
sounded like my death-knell; and, in
sheer desperation, | put on all the speed
could. At last | saw the lights OF the
tVhtAJ AAANAa Ahht hAA iAJ bHhAN INV
within me, but Mt that very
instant the brutes broke out
into fierce, savage yell, that told me
that they had sighted me at last. There
was n small garden in front of the house.
and as few up to ii | Sc W the gate was
shut. How did it never knew; but,
blown and exhausted with terror and
the pace as was, cleared IL. darted
through the door. which fortunately
stood open, and slamming 1t to. stood
with my back against IL. The lock had
hardly closed, when bang bangl against
the panels came my terrible pursuers; (;
and then they lay down and yelled saw
agely at finding themselves banked of
their prey"
As soon rs he felt himself safe. rage
took the place OF fear; and seizing hold
of bottle, Mounpoy swore he would
braiu Lord w. II he entered the place; !;
a threat he would have fulfilled had not
those present got him out of the room
in time to prevent most justiiable homi-