The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-26

taking some of the dogs with him along
the fence side, Crockett introduced them
again to the trail, at the distance of full
800 yards from the point at which they
lost it. The cry was now renewed with
all Its former spirit. The fox, huntsmen,
and hounds took to the right; but, as
fields lay In that direction, I concluded
that he would soon turn and follow the
belt of woodland in the opposite direo-
ton; l therefore took to tho left by Z
pretty little path which might possibly
have exerted some influence upon my de-
termination. l had not proceeded far be-
fore l encountered q large log lying d.
rectly across my path. Here I resolved
to experiment a little, unobserved, upon
Smooth-tooths agility. If" said I, "he
clears that log in handsome style, I'll
charge the first dow fence that inter-
cepts my pursuit. Accordingly I put
whip and heels to Smooth-tooth, who
neared it elegantly. but as soon as he
came within jumping distance he stopped
with a suddenness and self-composurs
which plainly signifled that ne expected
me to let it down for him. The conse-
quence was that I was very near being
laid across the log for my pains. now
became testy and resolved that, as he
would not run and jump it, he should
'stapd and jump it, therefore brought
him up to II and commenced the old dis
cpline. After proposing to go round Il
either way without my APPRECIATION, he
at length raised his fore feet and threw
them laziy over the log, coming down
upon them as the white bear does In
breaking ice, and stopped right astride
Of the log. l was now prompted by Gu
rfosity to see, If left to himself, whether
he would stand there or go on and.
strange as it may seem, his own free
will led him to neither alternative; for
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 isMtnltMsI
This feat performed I moved on about
two hundred yards, when, as I had an
ticipated, I heard the hounds coming d.
rectly toward me. stopped and in Q
minutes time Reynard crossed the path
within 80 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
Ibid you see him?" exclaimed he, ind
ing me near the trail.
yes" said I, 'distinctly.~ tt
"IIow was his tail?''
II didn't notice particularly. but stick
ing to him, / believe"
"Oh, nonsense!' said Crockett; twas his
brush up or down.
Neither" said L; "he brushed right
across"
Here the major uttered something harsh
and dashed on. l afterwards learned that
experienced fox-hunters know the extent
of his exhaustion from the manner n
which he carries his tail
Having reasoned out the fox's move.
ments this time successfully, [ concluded
could do the like again; I therefore
reasoned that after rambling about .
short time he would seek the neighbour
hood of his burrow. Accordingly I paced
hack (going round the log this time) 70
position where might intercept him.
Here l remained about an hour without
hearing man. horse or dog. and then Z
paced home, where arrived at II O'clock,
perfectly satisfied with fox-hunting.
When my compa mons returned they re-
ported that five miles from where was
--n'+irg for Tho fox and seven from the
village. at about 2 O'Clock D. M, right in
tue Dix road, near Richland creek, the
dogs knocked out" and could never N
knocked in again
But they brought home rich fund on
aneedote from the chase which served
to enliven many an idle hour afterwards:}
reserved mine to the present rnoment,l
to enliven the family freside on these
cold winter evenings. HALL