CAPTAIN WARNER 121 



line, in and out of the wide road that leads to Burton, 

 and then a perfect hunting country that may land 

 you anywhere. Half a mile short of Ella's Gorse 

 the fox bore round to the right, and then going 

 over Mr. Coupland's old farm crossed the top road 

 near Shoby Lane Ends. 



I can distinctly remember passing a small 

 square spinney that is on the edge of the Wolds 

 tableland, and entering the valley that stretches 

 away to Hoby Clump. Shoby Scoles we left wide 

 on the left. It was somewhere about this time 

 that I missed Firr and the rest of the field, and my 

 only companion for the remainder of run was that 

 good sportsman, Mr. " Robby " Muir — he had not 

 at that time won his laurels and his military title 

 in the Boer War. 



The pack never once slackened their pace, and 

 I can see them now gliding up the steep rise towards 

 Shoby village, whilst we toiled after them with the 

 unpleasant feeling that we were losing distance. 

 On top of the hill we could afford to put on steam 

 again, and then for a few minutes they were out 

 of sight in crossing the Shoby Lane, but we were 

 able to get in touch with them beyond. My next 

 recollection is a slight check near Mr. Wright's 

 house, Saxelby Park, and then they were off again 

 as hard as ever in the gathering gloom of the 

 shortest day. 



Then it was the pack crossed the Midland Rail- 

 way, and they were only just clear when the express 

 from Nottingham flashed by. We had a choice 

 of bridges to right or left, but either meant a detour 

 of at least half a mile — the right meant going 

 through Grimstone village, and we took the left. 



