HUNTS WITH JORHOCKS 



A hat held against the clear blue sky pro- 

 claims the line over the hill. 



1 That 's the way, on him,' exclaims Pigg, point- 

 ing to the holloa. 



'Curse the fellow!' replies Ego, 'he'll have 

 headed him to a certainty,' inwardly rejoicing at 

 the thoughts of a check. 



On they go, at a pace truly awful. The drag 

 has never been lifted till within a few yards of 

 the holloa on the hill, and the rising ground 

 tells on the heaving horses. Now they have a 

 check, and on ploughed land, too. The hounds 

 dash towards the fence beyond, and swing their 

 cast without a whimper. 



Pigg sits like a statue, giving his horse the 

 wind, his eagle eye fixed upon the pack. They 

 throw up ; and now he takes out his horn, gives 

 one blast, and in an instant the pack are with him. 



' I '11 lay my life he 's headed back ! ' exclaims 

 Ego. 'That confounded fool on the hill did all 

 the mischief. Do for once try back, as Beckford 

 says.' 



168 



