ME. JORROCKS'S JOURNAL 



the mandate, he repaired to Mat Maltby, the elder, 

 a cunning old poacher, who knew every cover in 

 the county, upon whose recommendation it was 

 arranged that a bag-fox, then in the possession 

 of a neighbour, should be shook in South Grove, 

 a long slip of old oak, with an excellent bottom 

 for holding a fox. All things being thus arranged, 

 as Mr. Jorrocks conceived, with the greatest 

 secrecy, he went to bed early, and long before 

 it was light, he lay tumbling and tossing about, 

 listening to the ticking of the clock below, and 

 the snoring of Benjamin above. 



At last day began to dawn, and having sought 

 Ben's room and soused the boy with a pitcher 

 of cold water, Mr. Jorrocks proceeded to jump 

 into his hunting clothes, consisting of a roomy 

 scarlet coat, with opossum pockets and spoon 

 cuffs, drab shags, and mahogany-coloured tops. 

 Arrived at the kennel, he found Fleeceall there, 

 on his old gig mare, with his hands stuck in 

 the pockets of a dirty old mackintosh, which 

 completely enveloped his person. * Is Miserrimus 



27 



