1892] TWO RUNS FROM THE SANDPITS. 219 



From Sir C. Mordaunt's diary : 



On January \st there was an exceptionally fine day's sport from a meet at 

 Sluitford. Found at the Sandpits Gorse at Wiggingtou, ran over the liill 

 towards tlie \'illage, and nearly to the railway, turned to tlio right, and 

 leaving Hook Norton to the left, went by Rollwright Spinneys, throngh Great 

 RoUwright Village nearly to the railway, and not far from Wai-k Gorse, where 

 tlie pack were run out of scent, after a good run of an hour. 



Another stout fox was found at tlie Sandpits Gorse, and he proved to be 

 even better tlian the first. The hounds got away soon, and ran at a great pace 

 over the railway to the right of Wiggington Village, over the brook, and 

 through Great Tew Park, nearly up to Sandford Village, and 1)y Little Worton 

 nearly up to Worton Heatli ; then, turning to the left, ran over a beautiful 

 country, leaving Hawk Hill on the left, to Barford St. John VUlage, and 

 thence in the direction of Wilson's Gorse, and we had to give it up at dark. 

 The fox had been viewed not long before going towards Barford St. Michael, 

 and want of daylight only saved his life, after a capital run of an hour and 

 thirty-five minutes, mostly at best pace. For some time before the finish, the 

 master. Jack Boore, and Sir C. Mordaunt were alone with the hounds. I had 

 twenty-two miles ride homo on Patrick. This horse could not be got to go 

 alone anywhere, except when coming back from hunting. He always had to 

 be sent on to covert, or ridden anywhere else with another horse, but, 

 notwithstanding this drawback, he was a fine hunter,* very good looking, 

 and well bred, and up to 14st. 



" Eusticus Expectants " in the Field : 



" Will you come up and dine and sleep, and ride the young horse at 

 Shutford on New Year's Day ? " " Wliy of course I will ! " and strange to 

 say the young horse, unlike so many of his species, which " will carry you like 

 a bird " neitlier bucked nor ran away, or hit the rails, nor took off in the front 

 ditch ; l)ut did exactly what he was asked, neither more nor less. How often 

 have we all been taken in by this same winged creature in the shape of a 

 young horse. Gradually over the smoking-room fire tlie plot begins to 

 develop itself, and by the time you are on the way to the meet, the tragedy 

 seems imminent. Great, then, was my gratitude to find that the " young 

 horse " answered description on every point. " There had been a sound of 

 revelry by night," but "the fair women and brave men" were the next, no, 

 the same morn at the beautiful old manor house at Shiitford, and we hear the 

 record time to the meet was once more sliattered. Everyone was glad to see 

 his lordship fit and well in the saddle again. A nasty cold wind blew from 

 the north-west, and a blue look in the cloud l)oded ill for scent, which was 

 indeed indifferent all the first part of the day, but ripened as tlie wind 

 dropped in the afternoon and the frost began to crackle in the atmospliere. 

 Who was it said " Perish India ! " Who was it said " Perish Wiggington 

 Heath p " Never again ! after the sport from that time-lionoured covert 

 to-day. Twice to-day it responded to the call, and each time with a real 

 good old-fashioned fox. 



Gulliver's Osiers and the Swalcliffe Grange Spinneys and Common were 



* Whoever thinks a perfect horse to see. 

 Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be. 



Old Sporting Magazine. 



