The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-06-03
HUMORS OF THE CHASE
How Louis VansickIe Fought A Cam
tankerOus Deer.


humorous turn, and man Of the rough
training that came to a hunter found
much amusement in such incidents as
that which follows:
I'm February of the year 1907 says
Browning, Louis Vansickle and myself
went into the laural swamps, where all
the deer had taken shelter from a snow
which had fallen to the depth of four
feet generally on the highlands
"As we drew near the edge of the
swamp, we discovered the roads made
by the deer, which had been out of the
thicket, browsing on the small bushes
and eating the moss that had fallen
from the timber.
1--WE had pursued these paths but
short distance when we observed seven
large deer running. or rather jumping
up and down; the snow being so deep
that they could advance no more than
three or four feet at jump.
1--WE pursued at our best speed, which
was about as fast as could walk on dry
land; for we had snowshoes tied fast
under our moccasins, which were near
ly as large as the seat of chair.
"On, and on we went; but finally l
proved too long winded for Vansickle,
and left him far behind.
when | drew near the hindmost
deer the foremost ones being tired out,
had stopped to take breath. The last
one attempting to pass by those in
front, leaped into the deep snow, where
he stuck fast, when l caught hold of
him, with the intention of tying him:
but he was too fat and strong for me,
as the snow had not been long on the
ground.
He was also ill-ratured, and fought
viciously until Louis came up, who had
hawk-bill knife in his pocket took
this knife, and with it cut the throat of
the buck, and left him with my com
panion.
With the knife in nv pocket, ran
after and soon overlook the others, as
they were crossing a small branch with
steep banks on each side. A large
tree, which had fallen over the stream,
lay short distance from the ground,
and many leaves had drifted under it.
lone of the bucks, being hard pushed
and greatly frightened, threw himself
under this log among the leaves, and
thus escaped my notice, as was watch
ing the deer in front of him.
Il passed by, and, after pursuing the
others some distance, caught a very
large buck, which ! undertook to tie;
but he fought me so desperately, and
was so strong that ! could not handle
him.
While l was engaged with that
buck, hearing Louis halloing behind me,
seized the animal, cut his throat, and
ran to the relief of my friend; thinking
as l ran that he had fallen among the
rocks and broken his leg, as the ground
over which l had passed was very
rocky and full of holes.
Il was soon agreeably disappointed,
however, for as came in sight of him
| observed him lying on his back, with
his knees drawn up toward his face and
his great snowshoes turned up to the
sun; the snow having drifted so deep in
| the hollow that he could not touch bot
tom with his hands.
Before him stood one of the largest
bucks, with his tail spread and all his
hair bristled up, watching poor Louis;
and every time he moved the buck
would spring on him and beat him over
the head and face with his feet until
Louis became quiet again; when the
buck would take his stand again until
my friend made another move, and then
he would repeat the same performance
q took the animal by the ear, and
told Louis to let him go, and | would
cut his throat. But he refused saying
that he was determined never to lose
his hold until one or the other should be
dead.
Il did So when all the blood flowed
over him, and bloodier man | never
have seen during my life. But he re-
tanned his hold until the buck was dead. ]"