The searchlight., 1910-04-29

store for him. The sport
Of fox hunting is enjoyed
in the western part Of
Maine for few weeks each year. and
1t is battle of wits. The intelligence
of the man and the trained instinct of
the hounds are matched against the
shrewdness of the fox. Even when
fighting for life against these odds the
fox frequently comes out the winner.
fox looks forward to these weeks OF
excitement from year to year and
really enjoys the sport as much as do
the men who hunt him.
In other parts of the country foxes
are hunted with packs of hounds and
on horseback. the chase often extend
ing over miles of country. This is the
English form Of the sport and no fire
arms are employed in staying the lit
tie animal. who is simply run to his
death by the swift hounds. But In
Maine and In some other parts of New
England the shotgun plays an impor-
tant part In the chase and dogs of
especial keenness of scent are trained
for this particular kind of work.
The Maine method OF hunting foxes
has developed hound which has no
equal in the world for speed or sa-
gacity. OF late years there has been
a marked change In the kind OF dogs
which are bred for fox hunting. The
modern hound bears about the same
resemblance to the old.fashioned fox
hound as the coach horse does to the
trotter. The hound Is faster and more
racy looking. Instead of following the
trail Of the fox at long distance be,
hind his game. he rushes the chase
while true upon the scent, and has
enough to overtake an ordinary fox
In fair race In an open field. Par
ucularly Is this kind of a dog bred
In Bucksfield. In Oxford county. and
hounds trained there have a world
wide reputation
An early start Is necessary on a fox
hunt In Maine. The dogs have beer
carefully confined for two or three
days before the hunt, and are well fec
and given chance to rest. Soon aft
er daylight the hunt begins. Usual,
two dogs are taken by the hunters
who may have a companion. A shot
gun with plentiful supply of double
shot Is required. and the hunter l,
clothed SO that he may spend the da,
In the open without Inconvenience
The dogs 60 bounding away TOWARD
the meadow wild with excitement o
the days prospects. The course 1,
taken toward high wooded ridge Dor
dering on the hill pasture. On com
ing up to the fence on the side of tn,
pasture the dogs suddenly becom,
possessed of a strange exciterlen,
Their noses search the ground eager
ly. their tails stiffen and their hackle
rise. 1t is evident that a fox ha
been there. early In the mornin
searching, perhaps. for field mice
Round and round in widening circle
90 the dogs searching for the trail an
trying to determine the direction Il
which reynard left his mousing. Whe
at last the trail Is found up 90 III
dogs muzzles and the fact is pr,
claimed by the characteristic bugl
notes. The baying of no other do
can equal that of the foxhound for IN,
sical quality. There is a mournful no,
In il. and 1t has the peculiar yibrar
quality Of an echo. To those VII
love the chase II is the sweetest soun
In the world.
The dogs disappear, running nee
and neck over the top of the hill ar
down into the valley, which is coyere
with scrubby growth. The sound ,
their baying comes back to the hunt,
now and then and tells him of the
whereabouts. When startled by tn
first warning note of the chase Il
fox trots leisurely along. doublir
upon his trail perhaps or circlins Il
hill. Now comes in the skill Of Il
hunter. who. IL he knows the habits
foxes well. will station himself ,
some point where he can survey
large open space and maybe get
shot at the fox when he comes alon
In doing 90 he has to take into q
count the direction in which the vii
10 blowing. for . scent from him "
cause the FOX to suddenly turn In q
other direction.
Giving attention to the baying
the dogs the hunter soon picks o
the place beneath some hill which d
fox b quite likely to circle. The hun
er must cultivate his patience. a
wait In his tracks Nov the hayil
q the dogs seems close at hand a
In Il de away IN he distanco. n
Hnx dodese aAA twists ahout. circltl
Arst tAis In ard thsa another q
bst svs4tnally IL hnntse knows
v1ll - AAkinsSa circle a the vesy \
a.