a goat, and the dogs well up, though
occasionally receiving the most fearful falls.
"From the high position in which we were placed, the chase was visible
for nearly half a mile. When some rising ground intercepted our view,
we made with all speed for a higher point, and, on reaching it, we
could perceive that the dogs, having got upon smooth ground, had
gained on the deer, who was still going at speed, and were close up
with him. Bran was then leading, and in a few seconds was at his
heels, and immediately seized his hock with such violence of grasp, as
seemed in a great measure to paralyse the limb, for the deer's speed
was immediately checked. Buskar was not far behind, for soon
afterwards passing Bran, he seized the deer by the neck.
Notwithstanding the weight of the two dogs which were hanging to him,
having the assistance of the slope of the ground, he continued
dragging them along at a most extraordinary rate (in defiance of their
utmost exertions to detain him), and succeeded more than once in
kicking Bran off. But he became at length exhausted--the dogs
succeeded in pulling him down; and though he made several attempts to
rise, he never completely regained his legs.
"On coming up, we found him perfectly dead, with the joints of both
his forelegs dislocated at the knee, his throat perforated, and his
chest and flanks much lacerated.
"As the ground was perfectly smooth for a considerable distance round
the place where he fell, and not in any degree swampy, it is difficult
to account for the dislocation of his knees, unless it happened during
his struggles to rise. Buskar was perfectly exhausted, and had lain
down, shaking from head to foot much like a broken-down horse; but on
our approaching the deer he rose, walked round him with a determined
growl, and would scarcely permit us to get near him. He had not,
however, received any cut or injury, while Bran showed several
bruises, nearly a square inch having been taken off the front of his
fore-leg, so that the bone was visible, and a piece of burnt heather
had passed quite through his foot.
"Nothing could exceed the determined courage displayed by both dogs,
particularly by Buskar, throughout the chase, and especially in
preserving his hold, though dragged by the deer in a most violent
manner."
It is hoped that this account of the high spirit and perseverance of
the Scotch deer-hound will not be found uninteresting. This noble
creature was the pride an
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