Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-12

mongrels among the ''irregulars," and
her horse leaped at the bit and went tear
ing off toward the Monee, foremost in
mad pursuit of wild careering lack"
Gomez she called, as she glanced
over her shoulder; but the sight was one
that only added to her wrath. Nolan.
plunging and snorting, was held to the
spot. while his rider. sitting like cen
taur, was still eagerly gazing over into
the distant cottonwoods. The next in
slant she realized that all the field were
laundering at her heels, and the instinct
OF the sportsman came to her aid. She
could not be beaten in the chase.
For half mile Bunny shot like a streak
OF light straight away southwestward.
the hounds punched in slaty. sweeping
cloud not thirty yards behind the bobbing
tuft Of his tail Then he began long
circle towards the stream, as though to
head for ''break" that extended some
rods back from the line of bluffs. Another
minute and he had reached its partial
shelter and darted in. For the next min
ute he was lost to sight of his human
pursuers, but presently flashed into view
again down in the creek bottom and
'streaking it" up along the northern
bank, with the whole pack at his heels
The bluffs were steep Just here. some of
the riders trife timid. and all the
"held refined in little as they made
the descent; Dana, Mrs. Belknap, Parke,
Mrs. Lawrence, Graham. the colonel and
Mrs. Sprague Strengthened out for their
pursuit in the order named, the instant
they reached the level of the valley. The
hounds were far ahead by this time, and
the two light troopers in charge of them
close at their heels; but who-what was
the hgure that flashed into view between
those huntsmen and the field. darting like
arrow from the fringe of willows and
dashing straight in wake of the ouarrvg
Thirty yards ahead of the foremost riders
OF the Rossiter party a superb English
hunter, the bit in his teeth, his ewes afire
and his head high in air, fresh. vigorous
raging with long imprisoned passion for
the sport of the old island home, gaining
on the hounds at every stride, and defv-
ing the utmost efforts of his rider, leaped
from the covert Of the timber into sight
of one and all, bearing a lovely but most
reluctant victim on his back.
In vain with might and main she
leaned back and tugged at the reins:
though checked in his speed, the horse
still tore ahead, keeping straight for the
hounds, leaping in his easy stride every
little gully or ''branch" that crossed his
path. Bunny took a sudden dive into
the timber, fairly flew across a narrow
gravel rapid, and darted up on the on
posite bank; the hounds veered in mr.
suit. the huntsmen wavered and sought
along the bank for better place to cross
but the mettlesome English bav hinged
through In the very wake of the hounds
cruinbling the sandy banks and crashing
through the pebbly stream bed. Out on
the southern slopes went Bunny, close
followed by the hounds; out on their trail
went the big hunter, but his riders hat
has been brushed away in the wild dash
through the timber, and now flame Of
oea dtltul golden hair-a great wave Of
hgne-tileS ON the wind over his glossy
back, and. though she still leans over the
cantie Juggling hard at the reins. she Is
f-y %S'AAS SAhCAltsihs some OF the
Rossiter party burst through the timber
In pursuit; some still ride hopefully IN
the north bank, and these are rewarded.
Tor once again poor. badgered. bewil-
dered Bunny makes a sudden swerve.
and, throwing half the hounds far be-
hlnd. darts a second time to the shelter
OF tho banks, with the other half closer
at his heels than before.
Those who were watching see the big
hunter making long. circular sweep.
then once again bring up in the wake of
me leaders, once more go leaping, plung-
- crashing through the stream, and.
, S. minute, rabbit, hounds,
!. the field" and the fair in
strung out in chase along
8 s, 6. and all eyes can see
g 3 80. "eti Iigh