The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24
BELIEVE IN CHANTS
Some Dogs Chase Them, Jim Carey
Says.
Richmond Va.) Dispatch.

TNlCHLlOHu NNa.) DlSpdlcn.
Speaking Of fox-hunting" said the Wis
itor, Il used to chase last fall, just across
the creek from my plantation, one of the
widest foxes that ever gave sport to a pack
in this State. For two months, and upon
an average or two chaSes a week during
that time, my pack and the packs of the
neighborhood had to do with that fox and
never caught him. In every chase, just
about the time we were expecting a wind
up, the pack would stop dead sudden, thresh
around for an hour trying to make away
and would then give UP, tuck their tails in
shame and come in.
Jim Carey, negro, who lived nearby,
told me one day that his dog Speed had
been 'ah't de same varmint, an couldnt
do nuth wild i'm and he further de-
clared that he didn't believe it could be
Ca hit In other words he limited plainly
that the fox CD was always lost in the
vicinity of the old Temple Place Ga noto-
riously haunted house,, or else right on the
edge of the Rock Hill graveyard So Jim
advised strenuously thai 1 give up hunting
across the creek If 1 wanted 10 catch any
thing.
But 1 was more anxious than ever 70
catch the fox and knock the bottom out of
Jims ghost theory; and mild night
early in November blew my horn, got two
neighboring packs, joined them with mine.
and, with consenial company, set out to
catch the fox.
1T was ideal night for chase. The
air was damp and mellow, and a line of
fog hung white in the moonlight above the
creek far the eye could see on the
east. We hadn't been across the creek fif-
teen minutes before L heard Music's voice,
and knew the chase was on. In ten min
utes more everything had got in shane
and every dog was putting in full voice
The music, echoed back by the cliffs along
the creek, was the sweetest l have ever
heard.
LAS the pack was doubling down the
creek and preparing, as L knew, finally to
come back my way, Jim came up from his
house down in the hollow and stepped in
the road beside my horse.
What you reck'n dem dogs ah'ter,
boss? he said.
Fox, Jim. That same old gray we've
been trying 10 catch all the fall; but this
time he is ours. can tell that by the way
the run is going
. Nawsuh, boss, you amt gwin' git dat
thing. You des wait an see. / don t
bleeve dat no fox. anyhow. Hit don't run
like fox to me-
THE hounds were by this time far down
the creek and were proceeding slowly and
doubling; but 1 sat on my horse in the
road waiting for the pack and my COM
panOns who were following them.
getting these days2'
Speed, boss? Dat dog daid long ergo.
Somebody pizen dat dog l laid I on dem
Speed was good dog, wasn't he. Jim?'
I as .TsL .un no... ,. ~ >, 30. 400
| ever had in my life. Dat po' dog'-and
he spoke with quaver in his voice
ulster keep me in meat all de fall.
could go ut de fus' part de night an ketch
three an 70 pOssums. an den lay down
an sleep tell des about day. an den go
down on de creek an he tree two or three
cOOns ahter sunup. Vas, sub, dat was a
dog right and Jim unused:
q" Dey warnt but one thing in de WORT
| didn't like bout dat dog he continued,
after a minute. And then he paused again.
What was that. Jim?' 1 asked, though
/ knew well what he meant
He seemed 10 hesitate, but finally said.
in low voice; Dat dog would run things
at night
." What things, Jim?' I said
a" Now, boss, you know what 7 mean.
Dat dog was born 70 see sperits an run
hants, an dey worried him 10 his grave
- Now, hold on. jim 1 said. L thought
you were too sensible TO believe in any
thing like that
" 'Cap'n. don't 1 know dat dog ulster run
hants? Amt l see i'm ahfter UNI many
a time?
When? ] asked.
% Many a time lie said One night las
fall / was huntin an pass oil Miss Jinne
PowelTs graveyard when twas right late
an. lonesome. Speed he struck somepn dar
an he run dat thing all de way 10 whar OF
man Danl ulster live an got burn up in dis
house. All de way dat dog was whinin like
he was wild, and was snatchin' at de ve'y