See! the red dog straightens his
neck, and snuffs the air.
"Look to! look to, Frank! they are close before old Chase!"
Now he draws on again, crouching close to the earth. "Toho! Shot!" Now
he stands! no! no! not yet--at least he is not certain! He turns his
head to catch his master's eye! Now his stern moves a little; he draws
on again.
There! he is sure now! what a picture--his black full eye intently
glaring, though he cannot see any thing in that thick mass of herbage;
his nostril wide expanded, his lips slavering from intense excitement;
his whole form motionless, and sharply drawn, and rigid, even to the
straight stern and lifted foot, as a block wrought to mimic life by some
skilful sculptor's chisel; and, scarce ten yards behind, his
liver-colored comrade backs him--as firm, as stationary, as immovable,
but in his attitude, how different! Chase feels the hot scent steaming up
under his very nostril; feels it in every nerve, and quivers with anxiety
to dash on his prey, even while perfectly restrained and steady. Shot, on
the contrary, though a few minutes since he too was drawing, knows
nothing of himself, perceives no indication of the game's near presence,
although improved by discipline, his instinct tells him that his mate
has found them.
Pages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59