The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-03-08
TRACKING A SLAVE.
1t Was Not the Brutal Sport Generally Sup
nOSeO.

1t Was Not the brutal Sport Generally Sup
posed.
In the old days when slavery ex.
listed in the South the runaway negro
used to he tracked by the beagle
hound. Contrary to the general be-
lief the blood hound was not
used for such . purpose in this
country, writes L. j. Mackev, him.
self former slave owner. The
beagle which was trained to follow
any trail was put ON the track OF the
slave and followed him up without
hurrying him or naming him when
found as the blood hound would have
done
Mackey tells how young slave
named Marston had run away from
him and was traced by beagles. The
slave was reared with mis- master, who
had u great affection for him. and
wien he disappeared it was feared
some accident had betallen him. Ac.
cordingly. after consultation with
the slaves mother who was Mr.
Mackey's old cook, he brought out
the beagles to find his lost scrvitOr.
l accompanied them, writes Mr.
Mackey, with two Of my friends. and
it was my first and last slave hunt.
He was fiaely-fOrmed negro. with
sinewy limbs, fleet Us a deer. almost.
and OF rare intelligence, and he led
us long and puzzling chase. He
had put turpcntine on the soies OF
his shoes. and that at first caused the
dogs to stop frequently and sneeze.
He tramped in the mire Of several
barnyards, passed through a number
of negro caOins, and climEcd tree
and went out on limb OvcrhanginK
4 shallow creek and dropped into the
water and waded for nearly mile.
Several times l thought that the
perpIexed hounds had hopelcsSly lost
the trial, but they circlcd for it. MAX
ing wider and wider circles until it
was recovered. We came up with
the willy fugitive about = O, lock at
night 1t was three days before
Christmas. and bitter cold, and he
had kindled a large Are near the
edge Of swamp some two miles
from any travelled road, and was
lying near it. wrapped in his blanket.
and fast asleep He lay with his
head to the fire, according To the
habit peculiar to his race, and could
see his face distinctly as l rode up
within fifty yards OF the spot He
was wearied with the chase. for he
had run about thirty miles, and slept
so s0undly that he did nut hear the
hounds give tongue as they closed in
upon him. He was still sleeping the
sleep of the just when they leaped
uron his PROSTATE form. But there
was no tragic scene, for they were
licking his face when he awoke in
amazement and recogni. ed the
hounds They were his fast friends
in double sense. He had charge
OF them from puppyhOod and fed and
fondled them daily. AS he tried to
push them away he cried out:a
'Get down. you, Lightfoot. You
Glide! Hain't you got no mannas:"
He saw me on struggling to his
feet and exclaimed:
"Why, Mass Tom. is dat you?? /
dcclar'!"
answered:
has sent me to take you home; do
you want to gO:"
He replied:
Eyes sab: dar amt no Christmas
tree in dis old swamp. Aud Is gwine
to stay home, Mass Tom. when
gifts back dar, sho as l lib"
MarstOn was welcomed back to the
plantation as one who was lost and
found again. and dusky groups lis.
tened to the story OF his days outing
as il he were traveller returned
from some far-Off country. Sixteen
months later South Carolina 'Ict
slip the dogs Of war;" and American
slavery persisted in Appomattox.
MarstOn is now a prosperous farmer.
He became member OF the State
Senate in 1869. and is the author OF
the act imposing tax of s. per head
on hounds