Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-02-20
5urnr ann 5iresiAs.
>xxs s& yM
@--E-=.-~e ,.,'s- s.s.lss<----s
Training BlOedhOunds-

.And these are the bloodhounds !
hear so much about?' 1 remarked TO
my conductor.
Yes, they are the fam us blood
hounds-that is, as much bloodhounds
as you will find in Texas. They are
simply foxhouuds trained to hunt
men,
DO you keep them shut up all the
time p
sYes: they would make it lively for
the boys if they got out
How often do you have occasion
to use them during the year p
Not more than two or three times.
Conyicts will not leave when they
know good hounds are on hand to
catch them.
Gould you not dispense with the
hounds and depend upon your guns 2
No, indeed; you cannot hold con-
victs with shotguns. 1t is the fear OF
the HOUNDS which keeps them quiet.
Destrtion is useless when recapture is
moral cortsinty, as is the case when
good hounds are employed
DO you have difficulty in properly
trsiDiDg your houDdsT
oh no; that is about the only sport
there>is. Here Genes the puppies. We
will give them run and let you see
how 1t is done
A trusty was sent down the lane
and over the fence, through a large
field. on a run for dear life. When
be had accomplished about half mile
or half bis circuit, the puppies, three
six-montbs old hounds, were put on
bis track, aid they started, Messing the
ground and yelpiDg as they ran. On
they kept, over fences and through
stubbles and bitches, never ceasing
their noise. Sometimes they would
Iun ever tbe trail where the trusty
had made an abrupt turn, but soon
they would return 10 the spot where
hey lost the scent and cautiously feel
their way until certain they had the
trad, when they would of again. The
trusty was loDg-distance runner, but
the soft ground made his lmpronptu
track heavy, and be Jagged as he ap-
preached The end ofhis run, evidently
fa,igued.
Tie dogs gained on him rapidly
and wee yelping close upon him. He
was ordered TO run to a tree or fence
and get oul Of their way, so that they
would have 10 find him by the scent.
He fist tried to climb a high gate
post, but the dogs with their noses to
the ground we're upon him almost
aud forced him to take shelter in a
wagon which was standing in the
yard, where lie hid himself 10 the bed
jHst as the dogs came to the gate.
They locked up the gate post and
.melltd around little, then without
delay followed The trail direct to the
wagon and discovered their prey, IT,
irg painting like a tug-boat. l looked
at the ptrtplriDg convict. and my
heart smOIe me for being the cause OF
bis race, but / soon found out that it
was great privilege, enjoyed by but
few, and giving the puppies race
was considertd by them the very es-
serce # pleasure. The convict took
al old blanket in lis hand and aligb-
iGd ~ ,be ground, where the dogs
fought him b'rcely, making vicious
springs for BIN. lie repulsed them
by pufelibg them with the blanket,
Jumping away and thwsrtiug them
in any manner without hurting them.
Finally one of the dogs fastened his
teeth in the convict's course pants, at
a point where the n ost cloth was US
ed in making, and, bclciDg on with
uDyitldipg ttnacity, YVES swung round
and round, with yigor, until tired.
Tie Gegs were then taken by guard,
and the convict went away highly
pleased with bis sport,