Whenever a “pack” failed in having a good “leader” and “poked,” they lost their reputation at once and forever. And many trips were made on horseback through the wilderness over the mountains to South Branch, or other points in Virginia, on pretext of other business, when the real purpose proved to be “fresh blood,” or perhaps a pack of dogs that could take the front. They were brought through on foot, chained one behind another in double file, with a chain between, and horse in front, resembling the transportation of surplus of the “divine” institution in the days of John Brown. New importations, however, did not often give satisfaction. As a rule, the dogs of the finest scent and greatest endurance and speed were bred in Ohio. Such were McNeal’s “Nick,” Jordan’s “Sam,” Anderson’s “Magnet,” Renick’s “Pluto the Swift,” McDowell’s “Yelp,” Colonel Vause’s “Clynch,” and a host of others that never saw a “bench-show,” but were awarded the highest praises by men who filled their places as well in the chase, as many of them did, important public positions in after life. And in the written history of these notable contests for superiority is the circumstance, if not the day, when Colonel Vause’s little blue hound, his lead dog, “Clynch,” outwinded and distanced all the other “packs” as well as his own companions, and pursued the deer alone so inveterately, the poor animal, confused or to confuse, ran to the town of Chillicothe and into the open, empty jail, and was there captured.
Stray Pup.
But of all the dogs known to have taken part in amusing the people of destiny; or aided the advancing strides of civilization, none ever attracted such universal attention, and enjoyed that wide-spread fame as that given to “Gibbs’ Stray Pup.”
Quite early in the fall, when as yet the frosts had but slightly tinted the woodland foliage, some hunters while after turkeys, saw a dog in hot pursuit of a deer, and so close was the chase that the fatigued animal leaped from a high bank into deep water in Paint Creek and expired immediately. This dog proved to be a little half-starved, lemon, black and white pup, not more than seven months old, and having around his neck a section of dilapidated bed cord. Such a performance by a strange pup so very young and alone, attracted no little attention and talk, especially among the sporting gentlemen, who kept first-class dogs, and doted more upon their hounds than upon their lands and houses. Mr. James Gibbs was one of these, and by right of discovery, took the pup in charge and named him “Gamer.” The dog proved a stray in the settlement, and no owner could be found, and mere supposition gave a satisfactory explanation. “The pup had broken away from an emigrant wagon to get after the deer.”
At maturity, true to instinct, Gamer refused to follow deer, but became the embodiment of all the virtues and qualifications of a thoroughbred fox-hound. His fleetness, his extraordinary “cold nose,” or ability to carry a “cold trail;” his industry, perseverance, and sagacity, made him the model and marvel of all who knew him. He always led the pack far in advance, and so exact was he to hound nature, that in case the fox doubled short and came back near enough to be seen and turned upon by all the other dogs, he would continue around the course and unravel every winding step. His voice was quite as marked and remarkable as any of his other qualities: so much so, that for many years it lingered in the ears of surviving friends like the far-off echo of an Alpine horn. He could be distinctly heard across the great valley, bounded east by the Rattlesnake and west by Patton and Stone Monument Hills, a distance of more than five miles in an air line. His cry was musical, prolonged and varied, opening with a deep loud bass, and closing with a high, clear note, it would come to the listener sharp and distinct, solitary and alone, when the united cry of all the pack would be dead in the distance.
An accurate likeness with minute description of this dog has been preserved—height, above the average fox-hound; length, medium; head, long and narrow and well elevated when running; under jaw, three-fourths of an inch short, which gave a pointed appearance to the face; eye, intellectual and gamy, but of a most singular yellow color; ears, long and thin, but not wide; neck, slim and clean; shoulders, firm; chest, deep, the breast-bone projecting so as to make a perpendicular offset of two inches; back, quite straight; loins, not wide; hind legs, unusually straight; hams, thin, flat and tapering; tail, slim, medium length, little curved, and hair short towards the tip; color, white, excepting a large black spot on each side of the chest, tipped with lemon; a small black spot joined to a lemon spot on each hip or root of the tail, lemon head and ears, with small black spot behind each ear. Altogether a fine appearing dog, especially when engaged in the chase: and before two years old, was held in high esteem by the owner.
Gamer.
The popularity of Gamer was now fast gaining ground, as his performances were casting shadows over dogs of high repute, and many things were attempted to silence the repeated huzzahs that came in at the end of every chase for “Gibb’s Stray Pup.” Years rolled on, pack after pack, pick after pick were pitted against the “pup” to no purpose excepting to widen the difference by comparison.