SEASON 1889-90 227 



in the racing world, but the first whippers-in 

 serving in such a good school under Frank 

 Gillard were in demand to fill the posts of hunts- 

 men everywhere. Consequently changes in the 

 hunt staff were of frequent occurrence, and Will 

 Jones left this season to become huntsman to the 

 North Pytchley, his place being taken by Kane 

 Croft from the Hertfordshire, a fine horseman, 

 " lang and leet," built on the lines of the immortal 

 James Pig. Promotion came for him after a 

 season or two, to carry the horn, first in the Isle of 

 Wight and then for the South Dorset hounds. 



A series of accidents befell the pack this season. 

 In Harlaxton Wood a young hound, Chorister, fell 

 down a dry well, but fortunately used his voice to 

 some purpose, and was rescued by a woodman 

 next day. On December 21st three hounds were 

 run over by a coal train, Prospect being killed 

 on the spot, whilst Delight and a second season 

 hound were badly injured. Another serious railway 

 accident is recorded on January 14th, when 

 Governor, always to the front and a nailing little 

 hound in his work, own brother to the famous 

 Gordon, met his fate on the line below Leadenham 

 hill-top. Gillard tells the sad story of how in his 

 anxiety he climbed down on to the line, and picked 

 the hound's head up cut clean off as if done with a 

 knife, and until he found the body could not 

 recognise which hound it was. The other serious 

 accident which befell them was on the last Lincoln- 

 shire day of the season when hunting a .fox in the 

 Ancaster Quarries. It was after a smart scurry 



