60 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



two ahead of the hard-riding division. Without 

 dwelling long in Brentingby Wood he led the way 

 back at a reduced pace by Freeby to the starting- 

 point, where they rolled him over. Altogether the 

 run lasted 50 minutes, and the distance was 8 miles. 

 Will Goodall, the first whip, was one of the 

 hardest that ever crossed a saddle, and as keen as 

 mustard for sport ; he would go from morning to 

 night without taking bite or sup. Gillard would 

 often remonstrate with him on the folly of doing 

 so, but could never persuade him to carry a flask 

 or food, as he always declared that he never felt 

 the need of it, and had so strong a constitution 

 that he could fast with impunity. Alas, poor 

 fellow ! he tried himself too high in his attempts 

 to keep weight down, and in all probability sowed 

 the seeds of the fatal disease that cut him off in 

 the prime of life. On one occasion, when return- 

 ing home at dusk with hounds after a very hard 

 day, he pulled an armful of peas from a stack, 

 shelling them as he went, being ravenous, nor 

 would he stop in spite of warnings. The con- 

 sequence was he was seriously ill afterwards, and 

 laid up in the kennel for several days. On 

 December 6, after meeting at Stoke Rochford, 

 a great gallop is recorded with an outlyer into the 

 heart of the Cottesmore country. After passing 

 Burton Goggles he turned for Lobthorpe, took a 

 direct line for Morkary Wood, over a stiff bit of 

 desolate grass country. Disdaining shelter, he 

 crossed the North road and turned straight for 

 Greetham, which was reached in one hour and 



