68 



THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



drives, to which locality Will Beauchamp immediately repaired, 

 but not with his usual alacrity. 



"A fox just crossed over here, sir," said one of the under- 

 keepers, still holloaing with all his might. 



" That's noise enough," shouted Beauchamp ; " which way 

 is he gone ? " 



" There, sir, just before your horse's nose/' 



The hounds were on the spot, but looking about only — they 

 would not own the scent. " Very odd," remarked the keeper ; 

 " I swear I saw the fox not ten minutes agone, close to that 

 little oak." 



At this moment several halloas were heard in the large 

 drive, where Lord Mervyn was posted, with Sir Francis, Bob 

 Conyers, and many more. 



" Here he crossed ! ' ! exclaimed Sir Francis, as Beauchamp 

 galloped up with the pack. Still not a hound would speak to 

 the scent, although they dashed into the wood, spreading far 

 and wide. 



" What's the meaning of this, Beauchamp 1 '" inquired Sir 

 Francis, in surprise ; " there's not an atom of scent this morn- 

 ing j they can't even own it." 



" They won't own it, Sir Francis," replied Beauchamp, with 

 a strong emphasis on the " won't." 



" Ha ! ha ! " said Bob, " I thought as much ; he's a bagman, 

 Will." 



" No doubt of it," replied the master ; " but hark ! Charley 

 views him now ; let us go and hear what he says." 



The hounds were round the whipper-in, when Beauchamp, 

 Bob, Sir Francis, and Lord Mervyn rode up. " What's the 

 matter, Charles ? ' asked Beauchamp ; " the hounds won't run 

 the fox." 



" Because, sir, he's been shook out of-a bag, this morning, or 

 the keeper's long pocket." 



" It's false, sir ! " shouted Lord Mervyn, with his usual 

 impetuosity; "how dare a servant oiler his opinion in that 

 manner ? " 



" Simply because, my good lord," replied Sir Francis, " it 

 was his duty to do so, when asked by his master." 



" I will soon satisfy you, Sir Francis, and all the gentlemen," 

 said Charley, touching his cap, " that I am no liar." And 

 begging his master to ride with the hounds through the upper 

 part of the wood, he disappeared. In a few minutes after, the 

 report of a gun was heard and a single whoop from jDharlev, 



