124 REMINISCENCES OF 



huntsman got the rest of them, and galloped down 

 the road just outside the covert. I followed him ; 

 on getting there he was in front of the hounds which 

 were on the line. His lot hit the line heel-way, and 

 went with such a bang, that they turned the whole 

 lot on to the heel. If I had had a whip I might 

 have stopped them, but only having a thick stick I 

 was helpless. They ran some time in covert, and 

 eventually got away. Just as they went away 

 Merthyr Guest said to George Melville, " I have 

 got another horse out, and your friend may ride him 

 if he likes ". He was a grand chestnut horse, up to 

 any weight. I struggled on to him, and his second 

 horseman got on my pony. George Melville said to 

 him, " What are your orders? " " Stay out till dark, 

 sir." We ran all day without much scent. 



I then went home with Frank Lovell, with whom 

 George Melville was staying. I had left some 

 clothes at Lynd hurst station, and sent a message 

 that they were to be forwarded to me. We arrived 

 just in time for dinner, but no clothes. I was dis- 

 guised in Lovell's clothes, which were a very tight 

 fit ; but had an excellent and agreeable dinner, and 

 a post-chaise arrived at 12.30, bringing my port- 

 manteau. I again doffed my flannels, went to the 

 station, and got back to London and to my lodging 

 in Jermyn Street at 4 a.m. 



1874.— I was appointed Chairman of the Local 

 Authority in Fife, and served all through the worst 

 time of pleuro-pneumonia. 



Lord Spencer again became Master of Pytchley 



