176 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



Wood was on the right hand, Launde Park Wood 

 on the left, and the field adjoining Prior's Coppice 

 was the turning point. This was where I managed 

 to get on terms with hounds again, and not having 

 bustled my horse, he was comparatively fresh. I 

 believe the fox went nearly up to Leigh Lodge 

 before swinging to the left and crossing the 

 brook. 



If you can find a better line to ride than from 

 Prior's Coppice to John o' Gaunt, leaving Owston 

 village just to the right, you will have found per- 

 fection. 



Most of the field had rather taken liberties with 

 their horses over those severe hills on the outward 

 journey, and, in consequence, the competition for 

 first go at a fence was not quite as keen as it had 

 been. Walter Kyte was very well mounted, but 

 his horse was getting tired, and when near Owston 

 village I pointed out a hound that had slipped a 

 field ahead of the pack ; he gladly accepted my offer 

 to jump some timber and holloa the others on. 

 Rather think that hound's name was " Haughty," 

 and though she had a good nose with plenty of 

 drive, her tongue might have been used more freely. 

 Kyte was always ready to follow his pack wherever 

 they went, and I should not have dreamt of offering 

 my assistance on that occasion if his mount had 

 been fresh. 



When we were back within hail of John o' 

 Gaunt, some vigorous holloaing told us our fox was 

 only just in front ; but then I felt sorry for him, 

 though a few minutes earlier I had been thirsting 

 for his blood. Like the gallant hero he was he had 

 passed the covert, and was continuing his journey 



