COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 115 



his mind, and turns back again through the wood at 

 Kemback, making straight for the Eden. Will he 

 cross the water ? is the thought that suggests itself to 

 many, for no fox has taken that line for the last 

 fifteen years ; but all doubt upon the subject is 

 speedily removed as we see the Forfarshire Master 

 plunge in and cheer his hounds forward on the 

 opposite side. The scent is indifferent, but they 

 work perseveringly and well up the hill through the 

 heavy ploughland, never interfered with, but full of 

 that support that is as necessary for hounds as for 

 men, till they reached Craig- Sanquhar. They have 

 worked up to their fox, and he is viewed on the cold 

 frowning crag not fifteen yards in front of them ; but 

 they cannot press him here, though they drive him 

 from his stronghold, and force him back again into 

 the open country. If he has strength enough he 

 may regain the covert at Kemback, but it is a heavy 

 journey, and he must again cross the Eden. Coming 

 to the railway, the hounds are so close to him that 

 escape seemed impossible ; but he struggles on, and 

 saves his life in an open drain close to the river. 

 The hounds richly deserved him, for they had 

 worked well over a difficult country, and when I add 

 that, owing to an accident to the van, they had 

 walked upwards of twenty miles to the meet, their 

 condition and endurance reflect much credit on their 

 huntsman. 



" Ladeddie is next tried and a fox found, and 

 away at once, but he gets to ground in a few fields. 

 Another has been seen back in the covert, and 



