The torch is made of pine-knots, well dried. They are not
tied in bunches, as represented by some writers, but carried in a vessel
of hard metal. A frying-pan with a long handle, as already stated, is
best for the purpose.

The "knots" are kindled within the pan, and, if good ones, yield a blaze
that will light the woods for a hundred yards around. The deer seeing
this strange object, and impelled by curiosity, approaches within range;
and the "glance" of his eyes, like two burning coals, betrays him to the
hunter, who with his deadly rifle "sights" between the shining orbs and
fire.

While we were on the subject of torch-hunting the doctor took up the
cue, and gave us an account of a torch-hunt he had made in Tennessee.

"I will tell you of a `torch-hunt,'" said he, "of which _pars magna
fui_, and which ended with a `catastrophe.' It took place in Tennessee,
where I was for a while sojourning. I am not much of a hunter, as you
all know; but happening to reside in a `settlement,' where there were
some celebrated hunters, and in the neighbourhood of which was an
abundance of game, I was getting very fond of it. I had heard, among
other things, of this `torch-hunting,'--in fact, had read many
interesting descriptions of it, but I had never witnessed the sport
myself; and was therefore eager, above all things, to join in a
torch-hunt.

"The opportunity at length offered. A party was made up to go hunting,
of which I was one.

"There were six of us in all; but it was arranged that we should
separate into three pairs, each taking its own torch and a separate
course through the woods. In each pair one was to carry the light,
while the other managed the `shooting iron.' We were all to meet at an
appointed rendezvous when the hunt was over.

"These preliminaries being arranged, and the torches made ready, we
separated. My partner and I soon plunged into the deep forest.

"The night was dark as pitch--dark nights are the best--and when we
entered the woods we had to grope our way. Of course, we had not yet
set fire to our torch, as we had not reached the place frequented by the
deer.

"My companion was an old hunter, and by right should have carried the
gun; but it was arranged differently, out of compliment to me--the
stranger, he held in one hand the huge frying-pan, while in a bag over
his shoulder was a bushel or more of dry pine-knots.

"On arriving at the place where it was expected deer would be foun