Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-08-28
HUNTED WITH VEST.
An Rnglishman's Experience With
Dogs That Liked a Strong
Scent.

From the New York Sun.
Senator Vest has told many stories,
but one experience OF his has not
reached the general reader. IL oc-
CURED many years ago, but the Sena-
tor telling II not long ago was still
chuckling.
In his younger days Senator Vest
was an ardent hunter and an~authority
on the wild life OF the prairies. He
was living on the advance line Of civ
llizatlon and his home was known far
and wide for its cordial and abundant
hospitality. There Mr.. Vest one day
received a visit from a rich and famous
hunter from London who brought a
letter OF Introduction from a friend
living In the English capital. And
the Englishman had brought with
him his own hunting dogs. Senator
Vest had dogs Of his own and he could
not repress his surprise, but the Eng
lishman asked him TO wait and see.
The animals from the other side OF
the sea would do wonders when they
| got TO work.
In order to get the best shooting
quail was the game sought-it was nee
eSsary to drive far out on the praLsie
beyond even the suggestion OF ciyili-
zation. The hunters and the atten-
dants got in the big wagon and the
dogs followed. They drove for many
miles and finally the wagon was left
in the care OF the men, and Mr.. Vest
and the Englishman started out on
the quest. They did well. The dogs
of the Englishman were not worth
much, but the Missouri breed gave
excellent sport.
"Just wait and give my dogs a
chance" declared the Englishman.
GAIL they need is a stronger scent.n
''They got it," said the Senator,
telling the story. 'SOme distance
away was a little hill and in the side Of
the little hill we're little holes. Sud-
denly the Englishman's dogs got the
stronger scent and started for the lit
tie hill with the little holes.
"'Call them back / shouted to the
Engllshman.
sob, no. he replied. Now they've
got il. Now they've got it,"
"'They viii get it II they don't keep
away from there l answered. But
with all | could do / could not call
him back. He would not listen and
he got so excited that be started on a
run after his dogs.
"Well, il was my time 10 be NOV
ing, too, for ! knew what was coming;
SO | called my dogs and made for the
wagon as fast as the good Lord would
let me. just as / crawled In I turned
and saw the show, and / never pitied
anybody in my life as much as | did
that Englishman with the dogs that
wanted a stronger scent. Out OF the
holes came little animals and you
never saw such a mix-up In your life.
The dogs ran for the Englishman and
jumped around him for protection.
Then the Englishman tried to get
away from the dogs for protection,
too, and the whole combination start
ed for the wagon.
"Put the whip 70 the horses" /
told my man, ''and don't let them get
within half a mile Of US.
"'Hi, there, walt for mel cried the
Englishman.
"'Keep your distance, | responded.
and to the driver / said, Whip 'em
up
$50 we went mile after mile over
that prairie. / pitled the English
man from the bottom OF my heart, but
there are times when pity must not
get TO close. ] kept him in sight so
that he would not miss the way, but
he had 10 walk. Once In a while he
would run as though / would allow
him 10 catch up with the wagon, but
every time he did we put on more
speed. When we neared the town /
bad 10 call back 10 him that his COM
pany would not be desirable for at
least t~wenty-four hours. never saw
him again"
"And the little animals In the little
holes In the bill, S~enatorgH Mr.. Vest
was asked.
"polecats,n replied the Senator.
The Engllshman had read about quail
living in holes In the prairie hills and
he wouldn't change his mind when /
tried 10 explain things to him. But
these dogs Of his certainly did get all
the scent they wanted-there was no
mistake about that"
split hickory spOkes In our buggies.
FERRIS 4 CAyTuoRN