Page:The Way of the Wild (1923).pdf/279

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into New York, where he again doubled toward home. By this time his flanks were covered with sweat and he galloped heavily. He took even the low fences with difficulty.

He did not at once strike for the Hoosacs but kept to the south. By the middle of the forenoon the other three dogs picked up the trail on the skirts of old Graylock and the first two dogs retired for the day. Fresh from their night sleep the new pack pressed the old fighter 1 hard. Now for the better part of the way they were running by sight. The great buck could no longer gallop, though he still trotted at a good clip. But even so he was occasionally obliged to quicken his pace to keep the yelping dogs from his heels. All through Saturday they pursued him. He crossed the great divide and came down its eastern slope, crossing rivers, plunging through deep chasms and climbing steep banks, but he could not shake his pursuers. Finally a wonderful thought came to him. He would flee to a lake to the east, which was two miles in length, and if he could put that much water between himself and