The record-union., 1897-08-19
HUNTING BIG GAME.
DEER WERE ONCE HoUNDED IN
THE ADIRoNDACKS.
After the Dogs Had Driven the
Animal to Water, 1t Was Shot
From a Boat.

one in this instance means not oAl5 lhS
hunters and the guides, but the Dis
deer hounds as Well, for the dogs, Win
an intuition almost human, seemed 10
know that they would soon be released
from their chains. The nearness or
their hour of freedom only made the
eonfning links harder to bear 1t was
not so cruel from their point OF view,
no doubt, during the long and TEDIOUS
summer months when, with NUMBER
of their associates in misery, they were
compelled to occupy only the narrow
confines Of a kennel and the circle 10
which the securely fastened dog chain
held them. There had been little to
annoy or 10 disturb, save the bother
ing of the pestiferous mosquito and
the biting of the minute but potent
punky. the attacks Of which are al
most invisible, but nevertheless most
persistent.
Still, for the last few days the life
burdens of the dogs had increased ma
terially. They knew that something
was going on, but as yet they could
not be a part of it, In the last week
or ten days there had been numerous
additions to the canine colony. Hounds
Of distinguished ancestry had come to
snarl disdainfully at the older tenants
and to bark deeply their defiance to
man and beast The kennels, which
for months had been populated either
by the wood mouse or a wandering
and overbold gray squirrel, had been
occupied by strangers in the dog world
Protests We're most vain, but they were
made with deep-toned enthusiasm and
supreme vigOr The hounds looked
over one another from their points Of
vantage on the sharply slanting roofs of
their forest homes. The fellows of long
ancestry and far-reaching pedigrees
said things in dog language to their
less aristocratic companions. 1t would
not be many hours, however, when
both high and low would be crashing
through the underbrush, following with
9ireless energy the light-foOt swift
running deer.
ANOTHER ANNOYANCE.
There had been another annoyance Of
late which served to make the animals
more nervous and restless. 1t caused
them to race with much rafting of the
chains and strong tugging at the posts
about the trodden circle around their
temporary homes. The jackhg season
was about at an end. The nostrils of
the hounds had been disturbed by the
scent which came from the dead bodies
of the animals which had been brought
down by the buckshot, to be eaten
merely to whet the hunters appetite
for the lively but nevertheless more ex-
citing form of the chase Many a
sounding dog trumpet had sent its
challenge through the forest depths to
he from
mountain side or in some almost impen-
etrable thicket of second growth trees
or thorn apple bush. This answer said
that the challenge was accepted. There
soon will be a glorious contest Of speed.
On the one side will be the runner own
ed by the hunter. He will contest with
the badly scared deer. The prize may
be freedom and safety for the deer. and
it may mean venison for the next meal
and glory for the man whose rife was
the more truly aimed
The shot guns had been put away,
and in their places have come out the
rifles which will carry the bullet of
death for many thousand feet No one
now expects to get so near to a deer
that the range of a shot gun would
reach it, Deer hunting in real earnest
enough to see the trail when the break
fast is served. Candles are brought OUT
and placed in irregular rows down the
rough tables at which the men are
working heroically on the breakfast of
fried venison. hot pancakes with gen.
uine maple syrup and big cups OF strong
coffee. The hounds, likewise, are getting
their breakfast They eat as impa-
i anxious to get away. Outside of the
dining room Of the hotel stand the ri
fles. They reeline against the pine
boards of the building and seem TO be
on guard while their owners enjoy their
early-morning meal. If they could talk
fer themselves, what stories some of
them might tell of past experiences.
They also, no doubt, would debate
heatedly the question of superiority in
make. for there are many kinds and
conditions of them. They extend from
the humble but well-tried muzzle-
loader to the latest and most approved
magazine gun, which can fire an as
tcnishingly large number of shots a
minute
HOUNDS LET LOOSE.
Breakfast is not over before the mer
with the hounds are off. The older hun
ters sit calmly in their places as the
noisy pack starts out for the trail but
the novices cannot resist the temptation
of running to doors and windows Il
witness the departure. The dogs lear
and tug at the leashes which hold them
II Is the first time that some of them
have been so far from their kennels il
months. Before many hours have pass
ed however, there win be but a few Of
them that are. unwilling TO return
There viii be plenty of sore feet by tht
time the days running is over. The
men and the hounds are off this early
as they have many miles to go dowI
the trail before the first runway which
the deer have been following is reached
Anyone who has ever tramped along al
Adirondack trail knows that for eacf
mile in distance gained, at least thre,
must be walked. If the hounds are nu
merous enough they are separated int,
small packs and are led in varying di
rections into the forest and away from
the lake. The hounds cool down nov
that they are off, for then their breed
ing and training assert themselves.
It is now time to post the men VIII,
are to do the shooting in case there i
anything to shoot at as a result of TIT
work of the dogs. Iestinct tells tht
deer TO start toward the nearest shee
of water the instant that it IS pursued
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