96 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



running by Long Clawson. Up to this point 

 the pace was first-rate, but after that it was hard 

 work to keep the line to Willoughby, on the 

 Wolds, where they killed this good old fox in the 

 middle of the village, making a good finish to a 

 fine run of one hour and thirty -five minutes, dis- 

 tance 13 miles as hounds ran. Those who kept 

 with the pack were Lord Grey de Wilton, Sir 

 Beaumont and Lady Florence Dixie, Mr. John 

 Welby, Mr. A. V. Pryor, Mr. E. Chaplin, Mr. 

 Cecil Samuda, Captain Pennell Elmhirst, and his 

 brother of the pen, Major Whyte Melville. On 

 the long list of those who have seen sport with the 

 Belvoir, no name stands out in bolder relief than 

 that of George Whyte Melville, soldier, novelist, 

 poet, and sportsman, by birth and natural instincts. 

 The two great objects of his life at this time were, 

 as he said of himself, " the pig-skin and the pen " ; 

 his days were devoted to hunting, and his evenings 

 to literary work. Happy the man who had George 

 Whyte Melville for his companion on the home- 

 ward ride after a day's hunting, and he often 

 came to Gillard at the finish to express his enjoy- 

 ment at the excellence of the sport. 



Amongst coverts that have established a reputa- 

 tion for being a safe draw, Melton Spinney may be 

 reckoned one of the best, and on January 20th it 

 responded well to the call. No doubt the fox 

 roused was the one that had been run on many 

 occasions before, for he pointed as usual for Melton, 

 then wheeled round for Brentingby Spinney and 

 Freeby Wood, going at a rattling pace forward to 



