134 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



for the ultimate triumph, because time was lost, 

 and there were numerous difficulties to overcome. 



This was a late afternoon affair, the morning 

 having been spent in the neighbourhood of the 

 Coplow. 



There were several nice gallops before the end of 

 the season ; but the run that scored the longest point 

 was to the credit of the Belvoir. Being short of 

 horses that week, I was unfortunately not there, 

 and can therefore give merely a bare outline. The 

 fox was found in the valley that lies between Melton 

 Spinney and the Waltham road. He was even- 

 tually lost near Barrow, close to where the Quorn 

 kennels now stand, which is an eleven-mile point. 

 Shoby Scoles and Ragdale were taken on the way, 

 ensuring a first-rate line of country. Hounds ran 

 very fast part of the time. It would have been a 

 great triumph for poor old Gillard if he had caught 

 his fox, and the run would then have ranked as 

 historical. 



In spite of several long stoppages by frost and 

 snow, this was a very good season, and hounds 

 seldom were able to hunt without showing 

 sport. 



It was in this season that Lord Lonsdale's much- 

 discussed driving match with Lord Shrewsbury 

 took place — it eventually resolved itself into a 

 match against time. The time and the road had 

 to be kept secret, or there would have been an un- 

 wieldy crowd which might have interfered with 

 ordinary traffic. 



The Field had asked me to report the match, 

 and Lord Lonsdale had promised to let me know 

 where it was to be. 



