Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-07-27

cred, and for a time 1t seemed that
the trail WAS lost. The fox, taking
advantage, slipped out Of the hills
and started in the direction from
whence he first came. This bother
gave him start of the dogs, but
not for long. Some old dog, trained
in the cunning and willy ways of
Bro. Reynard, made circle wide,
struck the trail anew. and gave the
news in no uncertain sound. In Il
minute all the dogs were there, and
on the run they went, faster than
before. 1t was not long until they
were pushing Bro. Fox so tightly that
he concluded to the hills again he
would go. AS he passed through the
old field in front Of the Double Cab
in, making that way, not more than
hundred yards ahead of the dogs,
in plain view of ala sight race
nOw-thiS was one Of tho grandest
spectacles | ever saw-each dog do
ing his best, each trying to outdo
the dogs on their horses, and men
on foot trying to outrun both dogs
and horses. All wanted to see the fox
caught, and who would tail him. 1t
was quite feat to tail the fox, and
every one was anxious to do so.
When close about where II. NJ. Low
cry'S barn now stands, above the
knitting MILL the fox, seeing that ne
could not make the hills, ran up
Il bushy-top hickory tree. 1t was not
long before we were all there.
1t was grand to see twcnty-oid
dogs standing around that tree aud
barking as fast and loud as th"v
could. The fox looked to be fat ANA
proud as he sat perchcd on that hick-
orN limb seemingly. from the cu,
Of his eye or the toss Of his head.
bidding defiance to dog and man and
saying by these actions, "lf you give
me half an hours rest I'll defy you
to do this again"
Our anxiety was too great to see
the cnd-we could not wait. Twenty
odd dogs and nearly that many men
cncircling the tree, and some one
threw Il chunk Of wood at him. and
out he jumped, seemingly in the
mouths Of half dozen dogs. But he
rose, as it were, by the time he hit
the ground, and, jumping over dogs
In and around that old field he ran,
doing his best to elude dogs and
men. Men, drunk with excitement,
would run over one another and fall
down in their reckless speed; horses,
abandoned, were scampering every
whore, excited and full Of play The
fox. seemingly caught one NJ muutc.
would arise with now yigor nld try
for his life again First her and
here hc would so, :umpiuE over Oh
stacles in his way. Men, hatless,
could be seen in their efforts 10 out
run some dog, following as loud as
they could and momcntarily craZcd
with the excitement that possessed
all.
1t is strange how mon and boys
Will act at such time. forgetting
self and self-control doing things
they know nothing Not. and how
amazed they arc when afterwards
told OF what they did. Many il hearty
laugh was enjoyed by all as some
one would tell how SO-and-so did. !
have forgotten who tailed the fox
and wore his brushy plume home in
his hat or on his horses head. AS
was the custom then, we drew straws
for his feet and departed for our
homes, after expressing our pleasure
and satisfaction as to how it had all
ended.
think this was one Of the most
exciting fox races was ever in, and
many time in passing that way
has my mind reverted to that day,
when was young. and to the friends
had then, and to many other times.
These recollections are pleasant to
think about now. One almost lives
his life over in the rehearsal of these
things.
tThc above article was printed il
ho 'rnpolon ,rr;b,,no 4, 80,