50 The Chase 



hill ! — Observe what a head they carry ; and show 

 me, if thou canst, one shuffler or skirter amongst 

 them all. Are they not like a parcel of brave 

 fellows, who, when they engage in an undertaking, 

 determine to share its fatigue and its dangers 

 equally among them . . . ? 



It was then the fox I saw, as we came down the 

 hill ; those crows directed me which way to look, 

 and the sheep ran from him as he passed along. 

 The hounds are now on the very spot ; yet the 

 sheep stop them not, for they dash beyond them. 

 Now see with what eagerness they cross the plain ! — 

 Galloper no longer keeps his place. Brusher takes 

 it : see how he flings for the scent, and how im- 

 petuously he runs ; how eagerly he took the lead, 

 and how he strives to keep it ! yet Victor comes up 

 apace : he reaches him ! — Observe what an excellent 

 race it is between them ! — it is doubtful which will 

 reach the cover first. How equally they run ! — 

 how eagerly they strain ! — Now Victor^ Victor I — 

 ah, Brusher^ thou art beaten, Victor first tops the 

 hedge ! — See there ; see how they all take it in 

 their strokes ! The hedge cracks with their weight, 

 so many jump at once ! 



Now hastes the whipper-in to the other side of 

 the cover : he is right, unless he head the fox. 



Listen ! the hounds have turned : they are now 

 in two parts. The fox has been headed back, and 

 we have changed at last. 



Now, my lad, mind the huntsman's halloo, and 

 stop to those hounds which he encourages. 



He is right ! — that, doubtless, is the hunted fox. 



Now they are oflp again. 



Ha ! a check. Now for a moment's patience ! — 

 We press too close upon the hounds ! — Huntsman, 

 stand still ! — as yet they want you not. How 



