The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-08-27
THE BLOODHOUND FROM MARSHALL.
Its Trial Trip After Jim Ravcl Was
Gratifying success.

Gratifying success.
The constable here. James Perkins,
has bloodhound as an assistant which
he intends to keep, writes Houston.
Tex, correspondent of The Neso Iors
san. 1t was sent to him from Mar
shall on the understanding that if he
did not maintain his reputation as the
best man-hunter in Texas he would be
taken back. To test the brute's capac-
ity the constable and several friends
went out to the fairgrounds. taking
the Marshall dog and several others
along. The others had been tried on
many occasions and found wanting,
but it was thought best to give them
chase along with the new dog. The
hounds were shut up in building until
all the arrangements for the trial were
perfected.
AS soon as the party arrived at the
grounds Jim Ravel started off on foot
toward Bray's bayou. In this way he
made about two miles, travelling in
roundabout ways, sometimes crossing
his own path, and all the time improv-
ing every opportunity that presented
itself to cover his tracks. A pony had
been hitched near the bayou, and when
he came to the animal he mounted it
and rode rapidly toward the timber,
taking as difficult paths as possible.
AS soon rs the hounds were turned out
and got the scent the Marshall dog was
off like rifle-ball, the others following,
but apparently with no very keen in
telligence. What they lacked in knowl-
edge, however, they made up for with
their baying, which was something
frightful. The Marshall dog kept in
the lead, and wherever Ravel had cross
ed his tracks or zigzagged the brute
followed his trail with a precision and
speed that were wonderful. At the
point where the fugitive had mounted
the horse the new dog paused for
moment and stood like statue, while
the others circled around him as if un-
able to decide what to do next. Then
the Marshall dog, with nose on the
ground and trembling like leaf. made
circuit of the place. and turning in
his tracks, went around the ring once
more. until with snort of recognition
he was off, baying even louder than
the hounds that followed him. After
this the pursuers could not keep up
with the pack. Some time later Ravel,
who was riding like mad, heard the
dogs coming nearer and nearer. and re-
cognizing his danger from them. he
hurriedly dismounted, ran few yards,
and climbed a tree. He was not
minute too soon, for the dogs, the
hound of Marshall in the lead, were on
his heels. and, having located him, they
began jumping in the air and manifes-
ting in other ways an overpowering
desire to get hold OF him. The pony,
in the meantime, almost had Il fit, and
its owner says it has not ceased tren-
bling yet. When the pursuing party
came up they found Ravcl in the tree,
and the dogs keeping up their Internal
racket below. The constable told the
fugitive to come down, and stood ready
to defend him from the dogs should oc-
casion arise. As to the old hounds, this
precaution was not necessary. but the
Marshall dog, in spite of it, seized
Rayel and would have injured him if
his trainers had not driven him of.
The test was deemed highly satisfac-
tory by all who witnessed it, and the
constable will keep the dog,