The evening times., 1896-11-04

dense brush and again through opener
woods, where one could actually see the
way for yard or two. The CLEANS OF the
lanterns were the only guides, the in
structor turning and doubling In a way
that no one else understood or cared about,
, for that matter. Occasionally a glimpse
of the north star assured the followers that
they were going toward the north. TAX
had died out mostly. Cultivated land was
away behind and not u stray apple re-
lieved the passing moments. The attention
was fully occupied keeping stray boushs
odt of the eyes, and maintaining q per-
pendcular. IL was trudge, trudge along.
Tie nuvices had all but forgotten about
the dogs, they had been missing 30 long.
Suddenly whine came from the left.
That's Dam said The Instructor, hes
found something Soon there came d
prolonged howl somewhat cracked. and
apparently a huudted yards away. Hes
suTe OF II now suId tie instructor.
moment after, another howl, louder,
longer and with a different note, came
from the same direction. THAT'S Pup
was the department officials comment.
There's something in II. wonder where
Bunc Is. Blnc, 1T viii be recalled, has
the poorest nose of the three. and sort
of gauge could be made of the value of
the trail from the differences in ability.
1t was evident, as was explained To the
beginners, that the scent was faint, prob
ably several hours old. II was still hot
enough Ia draw on Dan and Pup, but
not enough for Bunc-
A crashing in the underbrush and a sniff
fling along "A stone wall, that was found
on the way to the first sound" located
Rune. He had started down the wall
one way, while Dan and Pup had kept
up an intermittent barking all along, but
now the note changed to Il baying, Bunc's
voice resounding through the forest, Pups
less noisy and Dams only heard occasion
ally. That's worth chasing said the
instructor, and away the hunters went.
There was now no thought of fatigue
or wetting. Every one was alive and
with the hunters craze upon him. What
were boulders, slippery with moss placed
at the most treacherouS angle and right
in the only path through the woods
Nothing. There was n coon ahead for
sure. The trees grew thicker for a while
and then came an open swamp, across
which was found a hill. once over this
the dogs could be heard palmer. but ut
rarer intervals. I'm afraid they can't
make much OF ii after ALL" said Hughes.
Let's wait for the dogs here. and make
things comfurtable.'
POCKETS SEMPTIED:SToMACH FILLED
Right here there might be "a story told
that would not pertain to cuOns, but
just at that time, aTuer two hours
was mighty interesting. 1t will suffice to
say that many pocket was emptied to
the enhanced comfort Of everybody, in
more senses than one. \ hunters nearU
is in his stomach and every heart in the
party was happier for being little
heavier Soon BunC came smiling along
aud the conclusion was forced that there
was nothing in the tran. whether the
coon escaped from immediate capture or
had been there too long before and WAS
never in front OF the dogs, could not be
told. Dan and Pup Were slower coming.
having finer nose and more persist
ent spirit. When they came in the con-
ciusion was confirmed and another cast
begun.
This time the tramp was eastward, and
for fifteen minutes not "A sound was heard
Suddenly "a yelp came from Dan, appar-
emily less than nifty yards to the left, ful-
lowed by another from Pup and then a
long howl from Buuc. Wait said the
leader one grows suspicious coon hunt
ing, and does not venture gucSscs on small
evidence. Lets see how; they follow it,
The dogs meanwhile Were at il in full
tongue. Hardly had the group of hrnt-
ers come together when the note cl aaCed
and the leader, saying They're barking
up started on the run toward the dogs. Z
All hands followed pellmell. The nuy
yards estimated proved TO be no nor.
The dogs Were found prancing around a
big pine tree and making the woods ring
with their bowling.
The climbing irons next came into Tcuui-
sition, and in a few moments the attor-
ney was half way up the treec The
minutes seemed long. Nothing was heard
OF him for an uncunsCiunable length of
time, when pistol shot rang out from
above. He's coming came from the
tree, and amid "A crashing Of branches
the coon fell. or rather jumped, from the
tree, and was eff as if the run on the
ground was part of his fall. The dogs
Were ON him in a moment, and for per
haps 20 seconds there was a SDarling
swapping, bowling fight in the under
brush. 1t could not last long with coon
against such fearful odds, and a timely
Kick from the coachs boot ended him.
The dogs loosened their hold, and a male
coon, subsequently found TO weigh nine
teen pounds, was stretched before us He
was beauty, in full fur, and estimated
as about three years old, and was the
largest caught this season, says old man
Hughes, whose record thus far for 1886
is IS. \ miles walk found farmhouse
and warm bed The coon hunt was
over.