THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 243 



on the open moor, a good lanyard clear of the 

 brake. 



"That's the same grey fox — I know it is," 

 said Russell to Mr. Houlditch, who was standing 

 near him at the tmie ; " the very fox I brought 

 away from Exford, twelve miles off, a month ago." 



Houlditch shook his head. 



"I own, Russell," said he, "you know a 

 good many things ; but as to knowing that to 

 be the same fox you brought from Exford, you 

 must pardon me if I venture to doubt it." 



It would have taken Russell more time than 

 was then convenient to explain his reasons for 

 expressing that opinion ; he knew, too, it would 

 have been a mere waste of words on his part, 

 and that Houlditch would only have exemplified 

 the old saying — 



"He that complies against his will 

 Is of his own opinion still." 



So, turning to Mrs. Russell, who was mounted 

 on her favourite horse, called "The Tickler," 

 he said — 



" Come along, Penelope, he's going for 

 Whitefield Down, and catch them we must, or 

 we shall never see them again." 



Away they went up wind and over the hill 

 to Sittaborough, when, the pace being tremen- 

 dous, the fox turned and sank the wind down 

 for Simonsbath, then on to the Warren, Badge- 

 worthy, and up to Gallon House, where he broke 



