THE POMPONIUS EGO DAY 



briars, bushes, and brambles, followed by Ego; 

 and now the full music of the pack proclaims 

 the finding of the drag. There is a tremendous 

 scent, for though it has lain an hour it is strong 

 enough to last a week. Round they go, full 

 swing, every hound throwing his tongue, and 

 making the old wood echo with their melody. 



* They '11 kill him in cover,' observed Ego, 

 taking out his watch. ' Beckford 's wrong about 

 scent never lying with a white frost. I'll write 

 an article to prove it.' A momentary check 

 ensues the drag has been lifted. 



* Killed for a crown!' exclaimed Ego with 

 delight. 



'Niver sick a thing; niver sick a thing!' 

 retorts Pigg with a grin. 







Now they are on him again, and the old 

 oaks seem to shake with the melody. 



.. 



1 Is he a big 'un, Ben?' asked Pigg, as they 

 meet at the junction of the rides. 



165 



