COL. ANStRUTHER THOMSON 75 



hounds to get home as they best can) wishing to 

 ride over Exmoor Forest at this time of year. And 

 if you had been at Cloutsham one quarter as often 

 as I have been since stag-hunting, and knew how 

 almost impossible it is to get one of those infernal 

 hinds away, you would scarcely try to take Jack 

 Thomson there by way of seeing a run over the 

 moor. Besides, I don't like having special meets in 

 that country for my friends, if I do not likewise 

 have them when asked by my still better friends 

 the farmers. It is no use going to Cloutsham for 

 Thomson or any one else. It's twenty to one 

 against getting a hind away, and if you do, what 

 pleasure can there be in riding over that country as 

 it is now ? Now, please, be satisfied with Winsford 

 Hill. I have just come home after killing a young 

 hind which had gone to sea below Quantox Head. 

 That makes three deer up here killed in seven days 

 of infernal weather and bad luck, and the hounds 

 will go home on Saturday next, meeting at Middle 

 Hill on Thursday. Next week, Tuesday will be 

 Haddon, and Friday Mountsey Hill Gate. John 

 will not return with them, but Thomson is welcome 

 to ride any of my horses, and, if you like to take him 

 to Rhyll, the place is at your service, notwith- 

 standing Bellew's notice to quit. 



" Yours sincerely, 



"W. Fenwick Bisset. 



" If you intend to go to Rhyll write in good time. 

 If Thomson will ride one of my horses write to Payne." 



