CHAPTER V. 



The Teignbridge Cricket Club and the Party at 

 Stover — Mr. George Templer and the "Let-'em- 

 Alones" — The "Bold Dragoon," "Ninkv," and the 

 Rev. Henry Taylor. 



Whate'er the strang-er's caste or creed, 



Pundit or Papist, saint or sinner; 

 He found a stable for his steed. 



And welcome for himself, and dinner. 



WiNTHROP M. Praed. 



During the next six years of his hfe, that is, 

 from 1819 to 1825, Russell still continued to 

 reside at South Molton ; doing his work as a 

 curate to the satisfaction of his parishioners ; 

 and, when off duty, rarely missing a day in the 

 winter season, either with the hounds of his at- 

 tractive neighbour, Mr. Froude, of Knowstone, 

 or with the far-famed pack of Mr. Templer, of 

 Stover ; where, come when he would, he was at 

 all times sure to hnd a heartv welcome and 

 the best of company. 



Those six years may fairly be termed the 

 period of his final apprenticeship in woodcraft ; 

 for, soon afterwards we find him in the respon- 

 sible position of an M.F.H., playing, it is true, a 

 somewhat uphill game, but still adhering with 

 unflinching tenacity to that sylvan groove which 



