Hooj Beats 



ford and Gwen could be counted on to outride the 

 others, — and that especially the Rocket, on which 

 Gwen was mounted, could outgallop and out-dis- 

 tance any horse he had ever owned over big coun- 

 try,when the hounds were well away. Indeed after 

 another look behind him Mr. Leffington found it 

 necessary to sit very close to the saddle and take 

 a good hold of the Nut-Cracker's head, for the 

 latter had caught the dull sound of horse's hoofs 

 pounding on the turf behind him, and showed his 

 irritation by bolting in a characteristic manner. 

 Mr. Leffington might be said, and he admitted 

 as much later on, to have been carried entirely 

 against his will into the deep running creek at the 

 edge of Runyan's plowed field, — and out again, for 

 the last of which he silently gave thanks, — while 

 the others came through the ford and avoided a 

 drenching, which was the way any sane person or 

 horse for that matter, would have chosen; but 

 no one would have hazarded the statement that 

 the Nut-Cracker was sane, when the hounds 

 were running. 



The country was opening up now, and the pack 

 was plainly visible two or three hundred yards 

 away,their music carried joyfully down the wind to 

 horses and men. As they galloped on, the hounds 

 never checking at all, they came finally in sight 

 of Bagby's white-washed board fences and Mr. 

 112 



