96 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



brilliantly across Leicestershire, and many of them 

 first-rate riders, but very few who could keep their 

 eyes on hounds and at the same time take their own 

 line. 



The only two I can think of at the moment are 

 the Duchess of Hamilton and Mrs. Bunbury. 

 Lady Gerard, although not attempting to cut out 

 the work, was a very fine horse-woman and excep- 

 tionally keen. About this period I can recall seeing 

 her nearly always one of the last to leave hounds, 

 and a certain starter in a Belvoir late afternoon 

 gallop. 



Gillard was ever ready to draw a covert if there 

 was any light left and anyone was anxious to go on. 

 Frequently we found ourselves riding to hounds when 

 it was impossible to see a fence until we were close 

 to it ; but these little things added to the excitement 

 and fun. I fear we did not always consider that 

 in thus giving us pleasure, he at the same time 

 gave himself a much longer day, and whilst we could 

 clatter home at a good pace, he had to collect his 

 pack and jog slowly back to kennels. 



I cannot explain it or give any reason, but the 

 Belvoir hounds at this period always seemed in 

 better form in the afternoon than in the morning, 

 more particularly the big dog pack. 



The Cottesmore had a very good run on 20th 

 November from Ranksboro, killing their fox in an 

 hour and twenty minutes. 



Had the fox chosen a straight line this would 

 have ranked as one of the great historic runs, and 

 there would have been very few to see the end. In 

 spite of being able to cut corners, there were hardly 

 any horses could raise a gallop at the finish, and 1 



