The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-01-16
A N9L DCAT HUNT IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

/ was sitting on log at the foot of hill
in a crump of woods in upper South caro-
lima. some years since, waiting tor my
companions. with whom had arranged
a wildcat hunt. They said it was not the
right season but as eats frequently destroy
cd young lambs and pigs, we agreed 10 tfy
a nights hunt any way
It was in the latter part OF April. HE
air had just been refreshed by thunder
shower, and the last rays OF the sum- just
disappcaring behind the distant mountains,
were reflected by the randrop1 which StlIt
chung to the leaves and grass, like 50 many
diamonds The air was ba-my and Crate
full TO tired humanity. The leaves, which
in that climate put forth early, were near
" full grown, clothing hill and dale in Il
soft. delicate green mantle, while the honey
sucI<le, violet and dOgWood blossoms laden
cd the air with Il sweet perfume. Aonder,
70 the east, shone that beautiful phenomc-
non, the rainbow painted III gorgeous hueS
against the sky. Away toward the south,
winds the small river or creek. like Il silver
ribbon, until it is lost in the nazes OF the
forest beyond. On the distant hill slopes
the tank-a-l%nlI-a-tank of bells tod that the
COWS were coming home, while the tink-
ling sheep bells made Il pretty dccompani-
mont. From the distance came the sound
of the ax. as the settler prepared the night :
fupl and from the opposite hillside came
the not unmusicai ''pis-ce, pig-oo' of the
farmer calling his swine for their evening
feed The dignitied "bob-White' piped his
shrill notes from the top Of the old rail
fence on the hill, bobbing his head up and
down meanwhile, as if Keeping time.
The sun had now entirely disappeared,
lcayin" Il brilliant glow in the western hor-
zoE. which slowly faded away as the purple
mist deepencd on the distant mountains.
The plaintive notes of the whippoorWill
were now heard echoing from affair, the fire
fly Illuminated the scene, and the roar of
a distant cataract added grandeur to the
surroundings, while the soft breeze sighed
moulnfufy in the tops of the tall pines.
Suddenly, my horse pricked his ears and
listened attcntYely, and soon | heard the
CHATTER OF horses h0ofS coming up tie road.
1t proved to be nv companions, who We're
very tardy. We now lost no time, and
were soon mounted and cantering brsl1iy
toward the mountains.
Arriving ut the foot of he IaoCn1ains,
we dismoum,cd and leading orr horses to
Il sheltered spot some distance from the
road, fettcred them securely AMI Get cut.
loud blast from the horn rcsolrded
through the mountain s0itudeS, the hounds
dashed away. and the hunt began.
After about an hour of waiting, the deep
baying Of Il hound about 4 half mile away,
told us that IL cat had been 'en-en. The
other DOES hurried 10 the spot and soon
all We're going ut full tilt on the trail We
had some pretty brisk running and walking
to keep within. hearing distance of the
pack. The barking Of the mounds was
to my ears the finest music ever heard,
and being Il stranger 20 ,he corr try and
such sports the whole was very romantic,
and the effect of my feelings very pleas
ant, MIDGET.
After about three hours of running, walk
ing, crawling, climbing and falling over
mountain, crag, gorge and glen, We heard
all the hounds barking furiously, apparent
iy in one spot. and our leader, Il gigantic
mountaneer of six feet two. decided that
they had bayed him. But there was, Il
mile of the toughest land imaginable be
tween US and our game. We stumbled over
rocks, logs, brush and guEies untl we came
to the tree up which his catship had elmo,
ed. = 81 Ga
one of the party had brought along Hom@
'torch-pine' for the purpose of SHINING
his eyes" This was soon lighted, and al
ter much walking around the tree, cranill@
of necks and straininG of eyes, the = are
of the torch was reflected by two bright,
green balls in the top of the tree. winch
rolled around very detiantly. =,
Here she air. boys, Jlst look at er ne.
exclaimed our knight of the torch.
"Jes' femme hey half show at I'm Win