This circuit we were
forced to make, as at first sight we fancied he had headed altogether
back, and it was four o'clock before we got upon his scent, hot, fresh,
and breast-high; running toward the road, that is, due eastward from the
covert whence he had bolted in the morning. Nor were our friends
inactive; for, guided by the clamors of our pack, making the forest
musical, they now held down the road; and, as the felon crossed, caught
a long view of him as he limped over it, and laid the fresh hounds on.
"A brilliant rally followed--we calling off our wearied dogs, and
hasting to the lower road, where we found Garry with the sleighs, and
dashing off in our turn through all sorts of by-paths and wood-roads to
head them once again! This, with much labor, we effected; but the full
winter-moon had risen, and the innumerable stars were sparkling in the
frosty skies, when we flogged off the hounds--kindled our night fires--
prepared our evening meal, feasted, and spread our blankets, and slept
soundly under no warmer canopy than the blue firmament--secure that our
lame friend would lie up for the night at no great distance. With the
first peep of dawn we were again afoot, and, the snow still befriending
us, we roused him from a cedar-brake at about nine o'clock, cut him off
three times with fresh dogs and men, the second day, and passed the
night, some sixteen miles from home, in the rude hovel of a charcoal
burner.
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