1894] "RUSTICUS EXPECTANS" AND JOSEPH. 281 



" Riisticus Expeetans," in the Field, had an account 

 of the same run : 



I write at peace with all tlie world. I Ijegan to think it would be uever 

 again ; but once more I have participated in a sparkler in the Red Horse 

 Vale, once more I wiite before the effervescence of the bubbles of its delights 

 have vanished, to record some of its glories. I cannot put on paper all I 

 would say to-day of the meet and its suri'oundings. My Warwickshire 

 readers at all events will know why. Let us hasten past Diana Lodge 

 towards Kineton Oaks. We will stop for one word with one whom, now afoot, 

 we remember to have been the first in the saddle, first in the run, and last 

 home at night ;* M'e wUl pass with a too hasty salute the fair occupants of the 

 various dogcarts, and we will arrive at Kineton Oaks just in time for the 

 magnetic thrill which, passing as the electi-ic current along the wire, lets us 

 know that he is away. We swing l)ack at first towards Kineton, round the 

 deep corner of the covert, and it l)ecomes a joyful certainty tliat the fox has 

 sped across the brook, and tliat the i^ack are launched with merry and joj-ful 

 music (Mr. Thirty Seasons) well on the sweet arena of the point-to-point 

 course. Even then we have time for one memory of sad regret for him who 

 declared it to be " the best and fairest country he ever rode over." whose 

 granite stone marks the. alas ! too memorable disaster : 



There's no time to dally, 

 We must ride on without liim, 'tis but for a while 

 A moment's pause and caution, caution that too often deceives us, that lets " I 

 dare not wait upon I would," sends iis round by Starveall and the Tysoe road 

 bridge. Pace is brought to bear to counteract caution, and by the time we 

 reach Hardwick Gorse, and see the bold brook jum])ers sweep across our right 

 front, the former still is called into play, while the latter Ijegins to vanish in 

 termes auras, that is to say, into the sweet atmosphere of a most perfect 

 bunting day. By the time — it seems but a few moments— we have traversed 

 the concluding portion of the course, and reached the summit of Herd Hill,, 

 caution has almost disajjpeared. It is now the hounds and the chase and the 

 pace which gives light and leading to it all, which alone fills the narrow mind, 

 and stii's what we thought was the sluggish Idood. •" Take care of that 

 slij)pery tree stump, captain '" — •' Hold up, Joseph "^" Yonder they go." In 

 the hurry of the chase we pass one sportsman ; we recognise him not ; he ha.s 

 halted his steed, and is applying the whip-lash round his quarters. The 

 regimen, though new and specific, seems to be salutary, for presently he lands 

 over a high gap in a l)ullfinch as we hurry through an open gate after our 

 leaders. We count them hurriedly. His lord.ship's eyes are on the hounds, 

 and he is counting them perhaps. How I wish I could name them as they 

 flash and drive and make sweet music as they hurry ever forward ; but it 

 seems to me, as if in a dream, as I glance at their pursuers, that Mr. Barbour 

 is sending his ribbon-decked steeplechaser to the front. Capt. Osborne, Mr. 

 Basil Hanbury, Mr. Richardson, Mr. W. Allfrey, Mr. Bouch, Mr. JoUiffe. 

 Capt. Powell, Mr. Crosse, and two or three more are charging alongside. 

 Mrs. William Allfrey is the only lady I see. I know there must be several 

 more close behind ; but it is an article of my creed never to look back. 



A few of us get checked by a l)ullfinch. and have to turn up the hill for 

 Pillerton New Covert We swing liack again ; hounds turn to us ; Mr. 



* Mr. .Tames Hugh Smith-Barry. 



