. In fact, there is
hardly a species of hunting in America in which fire-arms are not used.

Several individuals are required to make up a "deer drive." They are
generally men who know the "lay" of the country, with all its ravines
and passes. One or two only accompany the hounds as "drivers," while
the rest get between the place where the dogs are beating the cover and
some river towards which it is "calculated" the startled game will run.
They deploy themselves into a long line, which sometimes extends for
miles through the forest. Each, as he arrives at his station, or
"stand," as it is called, dismounts, ties his horse in a thicket, and
takes his stand, "covering" himself behind a log or tree. The stands
are selected with reference to the configuration of the ground, or by
paths which the deer are accustomed to take; and as soon as all have so
arranged themselves, the dogs at a distant point are set loose, and the
"drive" begins.

The "stand men" remain quiet, with their guns in readiness. The barking
of the dogs, afar off through the woods, usually admonishes them when a
deer has been "put up;" and they watch with eager expectation, each one
hoping that the game may come his way.

Hours are sometimes passed without the hunter either seeing or hearing a
living thing but himself and his horse; and many a day he returns home
from such a "chase" without having had the slightest glimpse of either
buck, doe, or fawn.

This is discouraging; but at other times he is rewarded for his patient
watching. A buck comes bounding forward, the hounds after him in full
cry. At intervals he stops, and throws himself back on his haunches
like a halted hare. His eyes are protruded, and watching backward. His
beautiful neck is swollen with fear and rage, and his branching antlers
tower high in the air. Again he springs forward, and approaches the
silent hunter, who, with a beating heart, holds his piece in the
attitude of "ready." He makes another of his pauses. The gun is
levelled, the trigger pulled; the bullet speeds forth, and strikes into
his broad chest, causing him to leap upward in the spasmodic effort of
death.

The excitement of a scene like this rewards the hunter for his long and
lonely vigil.

"Torch-hunting," or "fire-hunting," as it is sometimes termed, is
another method of capturing the fallow deer. It is done by carrying a
torch in a very dark night through woods where deer are known to
frequent.