The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-28
CHATHAM HUNT CLUBS
THANKSGIVING CHASE.

nels Of the Chatham Hunt Club yes
terday to join in, the Thanksgiving
hunt. Master of Hunt j. K. Culver be-
ing out of the city, the programme was
carried out by DR.. Corbin, who is thor
oughly familiar with Sir Reynard and
his tricks. The Middle Ground drive
was selected and, after a short gallop
winch the hunters seemed to greatly
enjoy, the ground was reached and the
shrill whoop of the master of hunt
sent the hounds in every direction.
Considerable difficulty was found in
striking trail. Reynard evidently an
tlcipated a warm time and kept clear
of his usual haunts. The spirit of the
huntsmen were waneing and recourse
10 the bagged Fox, which had been
captured last Friday and kept alive,
was about to be resorted to when a low
plaintive howl was heard like the boot
| or an owl mile away. Soon ii was
repeated and became clearer, sounding
| more like the note of a hound, The
master of hunt heard it. Again it
/ came, more distinct: the struggling
hounds heard it, pricked up their ears.
That is old black the famous strike
| dog, declared DR.. Corbin as his horse
plunged through a thicket and darted
away. With a grand rush the dogs
made for their leader. In a few mo-
ments the whole pack was hurrying
along the track. Il think he is lying
in little bay" said Secretary Neal,
as the hound turned in that direction.
II he is we will have
race across the pine-barren,"
replied Mr.. Tenille. Sure enough
little bay was his hiding place
and he seemed loathe to leave it. for
though the challenge of the hounds an
nounced he had started, they circled
the bay several times in full cry before
taking to the hills and Strengthening
| out. There he goes" shouted Hunts
man Connerat. as the fox. beautiful
gray, full grown, broke cover and
skirted an oak ridge. The hounds were
| less than a hundred yards distant led
by. Bryan" head up, running the
| wind and leaping the bushes as though
| they were broom sedge. On they came
and away they sped, leaving hunter
and huntsmen to follow in the wake.
The course was advantageous, and
| some fine riding done, for the first time
the horses which had been chomping
their bits were given rein and seemed
to enjoy the excitement, the mounts of
| Mr.. j. F. c. Myers and Mr.. w. P.
Baldwin were especially interesting,
paved the ground, followed the course
with their heads. and when given lib
erty, made straight for the hounds.
lodging trees and jumping logs as
nimbly as deer.
At this point a rivalry sprang up
between several members whose dogs
were in the race as to which was
leading, each believing his dog the
| fastest
The hounds swept up the margin of
the Buckhalter swamp, and We're re-
turning by a broomsedge field which
allowed them to get in some fine work
and try their mettle, the wire edge
having been worn off. On they came,
and every huntsman eager to see and
expecting his dog to be the first to
| break cover. Here they come, shouted
some one as the 1.-the but powerful
body of Way slipped from the
broomsedge and hurled himself into
space, closely seconded by "Old Eng
lish,' owned by Mr.. Neal. and follow
ed by the pack. well punched, sound
ing like steam piano in a circus
parade.
From then on it was close quarters.
The fox having tested the speed of the
hounds decided to use brains instead
of Drawn, and began trying all kinds
of tricks, walked logs, doubled on his
tracks ran up behind the dogs and
staid there until some straggler Jagged
back and made him skee dadle in an
other direction.
4he wind was blowing a stiff breeze
and made it difficult for huntsmen and
hounds alike to keep in the race. One
minute all were together; then the
hounds would be out of hearing. Al
times the entire pack was in full cry.
The fox was evidently tired, and did
not seem to mind the huntsmen. FIRE.
quently in their midst painting and
!, dragging his brush in vain endeavor to
, elude his eager pursuers. War" was on
his track and turn as he would, made
no difference to her. At last in des-
peration he undertook to recross the
broom sedge field and gain the swamp,
but was not equal to the task. Finding
himself hemmed in on all sides he gave
up the race and surrendered his brush
to Secy. Neal, who CALAMITY rendered
! it to Mrs. j. J.. Curry, the first lady
in. The time was one hour and fifty
minutes.