Year: 1876

THR ECCENTRIC DoINGs OF vIRGINIAH 's1L-


YER GRAY FOX


In order TO carry out thus break neck amusement
silver gray fox brought all the way from Virginia
and lodged and fed for a couple Of weeks or so in
convenient barn. where he occasionally regaed on
unfortunate hens and ducks.


Our fox Of yesterday distinguished himself for swi-
ness and cunning before leaving his State for
before he was captured there he gave the huntsmen
two days chase. On the second day Of the hunt he
took 10 tree and jumped from a limb OF 1t TO lead his
pursuers through forest and fen for couple OF hours
longer He finally bagged and brought prisoner to
Staten Island by Mr.. Johnston couple OF weeks ago.


To chase ths wary little animal TO the death there
sembled yesterday morning some dozen horsemen and
thirty forty pedestrians the latter armed with sticks
and staves to help them the bitches knock the
prey to the earth. Among the mounted gallants
Messrs Whitman, Donoghue Ryan, Raythen, Lisk,
Tranter and others The huntsmen, accompanied by
Mr. Douoghue's pack Of fox hounds gathered a, Four
Corners


The snow covered the earth here and there, but
the ground which it likely the fox would take the
fields bare and the turf not bad for the OCCASION
ali things considered The frightened fox, when cast
loose in the field did stand upon the order OF his
going but At once dashed OF IN straight line toward
the nearest cover. Ten minutes elapsed before the
dogs let slip, and when this happened away went
hounds horses and at the top OF their bent
Pel nell they rushed headlonR, devil take the
hndmost' after the scent AZ Oreak neck speed
and Donoghue OF Hackensack kept well 70 the front,
but some times led by bold horseman or two. Soon
alter starting the fox took marsh, but was seen in
thfee minutes afterward, aud then ran the hunt
over hills and through fields. across fences and
brooks at splendid rate The dogs kept
close 10 the chase for half an hour Mr. Donoghue and
an unknown horseman al the head OF the hunt
when to the utter CONSERVATION Of both dogs and men,
Reynard suddenly doubled upon his tracks and took
black oak tree about thirty feet height which he
went up with the agility Of squirrel out on one OF
the branches and there rested for while Among the
many pedestrians whose love OF excitement had
carried them hither certain Jack
4 Pierce" Pierce mounted the tree Tuncneon In
hand 70 do battle with the infuratcd and brave AMI
NAL lighting for his life. Between Jack and Reynard
the battle ragged hot for time but Pierce did not
dare 10 close with the foe, and the engagement was
terminated by the fox adroy dropping himself TO the
ground over thirty feet He spraDg 10 his legs and
/ made dash from among his circling foes when
the chase dropped from the tree, Mr.. Donoghue re-
strained the pack and gave him three minutes grace
| 20 shin for himself The willy little animal did not
lose second OF this opportunity and was soon out OF
view again. The dogs dashed through the cover and
over the fields followed and encouraged by the now
weary huntsmen but up until late hour IN the amer,
noon he was again started and vnen the scene oi
these active operations last looked upon the dogs
| we're being recalled and the horsemen preparing 70
| start home without the coveted brush