AUTUMN DAYS 



line. From this point onward the fox disdained 

 the shelter of coverts. Over the Tadpole Vale 

 hounds ran hard, and horses began to flounder and 

 fumble at their fences. Every one felt by this time 

 that he was in for a great run, and all were riding 

 resolutely, silently, and making every effort to save 

 their horses. Cricklade was passed, and the waters 

 of the I sis were in front. Lord Worcester's quick 

 eye saw a cattle drinking-place on the opposite 

 bank, and he plunged in, getting out with a scramble 

 ere the tail hounds had scattered the drops from 

 their coats and were straining away in pursuit of 

 their comrades. The foremost hounds, now running 

 mute, had a long lead ; but as the line was parallel 

 to the canal, the towing-path gave the huntsmen 

 a relief Once more the river was crossed, but this 

 time the bridge at Castle Eaton helped the wise 

 ones, though two rash and eager spirits, Messrs. 

 Candy and Byng, tried to swim it again and were 

 nearly drowned for their pains. At Castle Eaton 

 the hounds came to close hunting, and Hamblin's 

 good work at their condition told, for where 

 many packs would have been unable to hunt on 

 for sheer weariness, Hannibal and Nathan led the 

 pack through gardens and a farm-yard, while Lord 

 Worcester and Messrs. Alfred Grace and Candy- 

 were reduced to running on foot, Mr, Pitman fol- 

 lowing with poor old Beckford in tow. Now, 

 luckily, the pace was slow, and the end was at 

 hand. Mr. Hynam lent Lord Worcester a good 



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