228 MEMOIR OF 



turned their attention to Indian meal, hoping 

 to find in it, though a cheaper article, still a 

 satisfactory substitute for the more expensive 

 food. But experience soon proved that, much 

 as it was at first vaunted, it lacked that rare 

 muscle-giving aliment, that stand-by quality, so 

 bountifully possessed by sound oatmeal. 



Russell never would try it during the 

 season ; but, knowing that a friend of his had 

 done so, and hearing that his hounds rarely 

 ended with a kill, he exclaimed, ** No wonder ; 

 it's that Indian meal that does it. The hounds 

 are as good as they ever were ; but fed on that 

 wishy-washy 'trade,' I'll defy them, or any 

 hounds on earth, to kill a good fox." 



Russell's independence in the field with 

 respect to the services of a regular whip having 

 been already alluded to, it may be mentioned 

 that enthusiastic, amateur aspirants would now 

 and again volunteer to act in that capacity, 

 and take upon themselves the full duties of a 

 hired servant. One especially, Mr. Houlditch, a 

 Somersetshire gentleman, hearing almost fabulous 

 tales of the sport shown by the N.D.H., migrated 

 from his own into Russell's country, and at 

 once offered his services, proposing to act as 

 field-adjutant, and undertake, as far as his ability 

 would permit, the ordinary work of a regular whip. 



The offer at the time happened to be most 

 opportune, and was gratefully accepted on 



