CAPTAIN BURNS-HARTOPP 175 



The run began with a right-handed loop round 

 Marefield, hounds flying and every one having a 

 dart, but never dreaming it was only the preliminary 

 to something much greater. 



The season was practically at an end, horses 

 would not be wanted for another six months, and 

 every one meant having a ride. 



I have never seen hounds run much faster than 

 they did In that right-handed loop round Marefield, 

 and in fact some of those who had started badly 

 never realized how far the pack had gone before 

 turning. It was on the hill overlooking the Twyford 

 brook that the fox altered his course ; but I saw 

 nothing to have headed him. We breasted the hill 

 towards Halstead as far as Sir Richard Sutton's 

 old farm, and then swung to the left into the valley 

 near Tilt on station. Here I made a grievous mis- 

 take, which relegated me and all who followed me 

 to positions in the rear. There were two cattle 

 arches, one with an easy swinging gate and the 

 other railed up with stiff railway timber. In the 

 excitement of the moment I found myself confronted 

 with the latter, and the pack more than half-way 

 up Whatborough Hill before we were clear. 



Yes. I missed that part of the run, and only 

 saw it from a distance ; but perhaps it was as well, 

 for it was the least interesting country to ride over, 

 and I was able to husband my horse's powers for 

 the return journey. Let me say here that the 

 outward course was to the south of Owston Wood, 

 and the homeward to the north. 



The big woodlands in this district might have 

 seemed tempting to the ordinary fox, but our hero 

 never touched one, and went straight on. Launde 



