Notable Runs 55 



Hitherto he has only asked him to gallop, best pace, 

 over sound turf, and take a succession of fair hunt- 

 ing fences in his stride. Hotspur seems to know 

 his business thoroughly, and though a little eager, 

 he allows his rider to draw him together for his 

 leaps, and the way in which he cocks his ears when 

 within distance denotes a hunter. 



Mr. Sawyer is full of confidence. He has been 

 riding fence for fence with the Honourable Crasher, 

 whose pale face wears a smile of quiet satisfaction. 

 The latter has indulged Topsy-Turvy with two 

 awkward bits of temper and an unnecessary gate ; 

 the mare is consequently tolerably amiable, and 

 though she throws her head wildly about if any 

 other horse comes near her, may be considered in 

 an unusually composed frame of mind. The hunts- 

 man has been riding close to his hounds, in that 

 state of eager anxiety which the philosopher would 

 hardly consider enjoyment, and yet which is never- 

 theless not without its charms — all his feelings are 

 reflected, in a modified form, in the breast of the 

 Master. The latter, riding his own line, as near 

 the pack as his conscience will permit him, is 

 divided between intense enjoyment of the gallop 

 and a host of vague apprehensions lest anything 

 should turn up to mar the continuance of the 

 run. . . . 



The hounds, having overrun the scent a trifle, 

 swing to the line again with dashing confidence, 

 and take it up once more with an energy that 

 seems but increased by their momentary hesitation. 

 They might have been covered with a sheet hither- 

 to ; now they lengthen out into a string, and the 

 leaders scour along, with their noses in the air and 

 their sterns lowered. Every yard increases their 

 distance from the pursuing horsemen. 



