THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 79 



Nevertheless the otter is a really wild beast ; 

 his efforts to escape, when put down, are mar- 

 vellously clever ; the hounds become very fond 

 of the scent, and the sport he shows, if given 

 fair play, no pen can adequately describe. But 

 it lasts only for a season of four short months, 

 and it will be asked what, by way of recreation 

 and congenial exercise, did Russell find to do 

 during the other eight of the year. 



The answer will, of course, be anticipated. 

 He hunted whenever he had the chance of 

 doing so. At that time, and for many years 

 afterwards, a rare pack of hounds were kept in 

 the neighbourhood by the Rev. John Froude, 

 of Knowstone, a man better known, perhaps, in 

 the western counties, for his utter disregard of 

 episcopal, and, indeed, of all human authority, 

 than even for the celebrity of his hounds. With 

 him and his pack, then, Russell managed to 

 hunt on every available occasion ; enjoying to 

 his heart's content both the sport and hospi- 

 tality which Froude never failed to show^ him, 

 and tiding over the winter season in a very 

 happy way. 



A fine, wild country was that in w'hich 

 the vicar of Knowstone took his pastime ; but 

 especially that portion extending towards East 

 and West Anstey and MoUand Down ; a land 

 of heath, bracken, and furze, with moors 

 " immeasurably spread " in every direction. 



