nd in sufficient numbers
to ensure the procuring of a specimen without much difficulty.

The hunters of these parts have various modes of capturing him. The
log-trap is a common plan; but the planters enjoy the sport of running
him down with dogs; or rather should it be termed running him up; since
the chase usually ends by Bruin taking to a tree, and thus unconsciously
putting himself within reach of the unerring rifle.

It was by this means that our young hunters determined to try their
luck; and they had no difficulty in procuring the necessary adjuncts to
ensure success. The great Czar, powerful everywhere, was not without
his agent at New Orleans. From him a letter of introduction was
obtained to a planter living on one of the interior _bayous_; and our
heroes, having repaired thither, were at once set in train for the
sport--the planter placing himself, his house, his hounds, and his
horses at their disposal.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

THE NORTHERN FORESTS.

On their arrival, the hospitable planter sent to his neighbours, and
arranged a grand hunt, to come off at an early day specified in the
invitation. Each was to bring with him such hounds as he was possessed
of--and in this way a large pack might be got together, so that a wide
extent of forest could be driven.

Among the planters of the Southern states this is a very common
practice: only a few of them keeping what might be called a regular
kennel of hounds, but many of them having five or six couples. In a
neighbourhood favourable to the chase, by uniting a number of these
little bands together, a pack may be got up large enough for any
purpose.

The usual game hunted in the Southern states is the American fallow-deer
(_cervus virginianus_), which is still found in considerable plenty in
the more solitary tracts of forest all over the United States. It is
the only species of deer indigenous to Louisiana: since, the noble stag
or "elk," as he is erroneously called (_cervus canadensis_), does not
range so far to the south. On the Pacific coast this animal is found in
much lower latitudes than on that of the Atlantic.

Besides the fallow-deer, the fox gives sport to the Louisiana hunter.
This is the grey fox (_vulpes virginianus_). The bay lynx also--or wild
cat, as it is called (_lynx rufus_)--and now and then, but more rarely,
the cougar (_felis concolor_), give the hounds a run before taking to
the tree.

Racoons, opossums, and skunks ar