Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-10-02

taking some OF the dogs with MIN
along the fence side, Crockett intro
duced them again to the trail, at the
distance of full three hundred yard:
from the point at which they lost 1t
The cry was now renewed with all 1t:
former spirit The fox, huntsmen, ant
hounds took to the right; but, as fields
lay in that direction, I concluded thai
he would soon turn and follow the bel
Of woodland in the opposite direction;
| I therefore took to the left by pretty
little path which might possibly have
exerted some influence upon my de.
termination. had not proceeded fal
before I encountered large log lying
directly across my path. Here re.
solved to experiment little, unob-
served, upon Smooth-tooth's agility
"If," said 1, "he clears that log ir
handsome style, I'll charge the first
dow fence that intercepts my pur-
suit" Accordingly, put whip and
heels to Smooth tooth, who neared II
elegantly, but as soon as he came
within jumping distance he stopped
with a suddenness and self-composure
which plainly signified that he expect
ed me to let 1t down for him. The con-
sequence was that was very near be-
ing laid across the log for my pains
now became testy, and resolved that
as he would not run and jump It
as he would not run and jump" 1t
he, should stand and jump" it. II
commenced the old discipline. After
proposing to go around 1t either way
without my appreciation, ne at length
raised his fore feet and threw them
lazily over the log, coming down upon
them as the white bear does in break
ing ice, and stopped right astride OF
the log. 1 was now prompted by Gu
riosity to see IL left to himself, wheth-
er he would stand there or go on, and
strange as 1t may seem, his own free
win led him to neither alternative; foI
he was in the very act Of drawing his
fore feet back with kind Of fall
down motion when I gave him the
whip and forced him to drag, rather
than lift, his hind feet over.
This feat performed, moved on
about two hundreds yards, when, as
had anticipated, heard the hounds
coming directly towards me. stop
ped, and in a minutes time Reynard
crossed the path within thirty steps OF
me. Then came the dogs in the order
in which they entered the field, and
hard upon them came Crockett upon
his foaming steed.
Did you see him." exclaimed he,
finding me near the trail.
'Yes," said /. distinctly"
"How was his tail?"
II didn't notice particularly, but
sticking to him, believe"
"Oh, nonsense!" said Crockett; "was
his brush up or down?"
Neither" said I; 'he brushed right
across" .-
Here the major uttered something
harsh, and dashed on. afterwards
learned that experienced fox-hunters
know the extent Of his exhaustion from
the manner In which he carries his tail
Having reasoned out the fox's move
ments this time successfully, I con-
cluded l could do the like again;
therefore reasoned that after rambling
about a short time he would seek the
neighborhood of his burrow. Accord
ingly, l paced back (going round the
log this time) to a position where
might intercept him. Here remained
about an hour without hearing man
horse, or dog. and then paced home
where l arrived at eleven o'clock, per-
fectly satisfied with fox-hunting.
When my companions returned, they
reported that five miles from where
was waiting for the fox, and seven
from the village, at about two O'Clock
D. m., right in the big road, near Rich
land creek, the dogs knocked out,
and could never be knocked in again.
But they brought home a rich fund
of anecdote from the chase, which
served to enliven many an idle hour
afterwards; I reserved mine to the
present moment, to enliven the family
fireside on these cold winter evenings
HALL.