THE EIGHTH DUKE OF BEAUFORT 



brook, which they crossed opposite Bradfield Wood ; 

 kept straight on nearly to Mr. Barnett's house 

 (Bradfield Farm), turned to the left (across Hulla- 

 vington and Norton Road) for about three or 

 four fields, then to the right again as far as the 

 farm on the Norton side of Surrendell, where 

 they turned to the left again and ran into Surrendell 

 Wood, killing him six minutes after they entered the 

 wood — in forty-seven minutes altogether. Time over 

 open, thirty-six minutes ; from Tom's halloa to 

 Surrendell Wood, forty-one minutes. All this run 

 was over a fine grass country, five ploughed fields 

 only. Hounds ran from start to the kill without 

 interruption, as if they were tied to him, never 

 checking. The best run I have seen for two 

 years." 



The sport, however, did not consist entirely of 

 such runs as these, for it was on the whole much 

 such an October as that of 1900. The ground 

 was hard and scent was catchy. *' Hounds," as 

 the Duke said, '* could run, but could not hunt." 

 These words describe exactly a state of things 

 familiar to every one who has carried the horn, 

 and indeed to all who have watched hounds care- 

 fully at work. 



The Duke was very observant ; not an incident 

 escaped his eye, and such entries as the following 

 are found in his diary : — 



" November 3rd. — Went to West Park. Found ; 

 the fox took a flying leap, clearing the fenced brook 



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