CHAPTER IX 

 The Eighth Duke 



AFTER the success of the first year it was 

 not to be wondered at that the Duke should 

 enter on the second with high expectations. 



He began the season with Bill Walker and 

 Charles Long's boy Heber, twelve years old, to 

 whip in to him. 



Cub-hunting opened on August 21st, hounds 

 meeting at 1 1 a.m. as the weather was cold, and 

 the pack had been fed late the day before. 



Some days later they had a tussle with a badger. 

 " There was a tremendous row and baying. I told 

 Ted Light I was sure it was a badger. Descended 

 into the wood and found the old gentleman. Bill 

 Walker had never seen one before with hounds, and 

 instead of seizing his tail, appeared whip in hand, 

 ready to hit him as he got back into the covert. I 

 got the hounds away. Very luckily only one puppy. 

 Costly, bitten through the foot." 



The following day the Duke took his hounds to 

 Dyrham Wood, and found " four beautiful cubs in 

 the corner yclept the dining-room ; two went away 



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