COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 261 



25th. — Atherstone Hounds at Willesley. Ro 

 rode the roan horse ; I rode a hireling of Crisp's at 

 Atherstone, a very good horse. Mrs. Colville bought 

 him for her son (now General Sir Henry Colville). 

 Sam Hayes very feeble. 



26th.- — Atherstone, Arley village. We rode two 

 white hirelings from Leamington, and had Kelly's 

 brown horse for second horse. Not much good. 

 Rode to kennels, and drove to Cliff. 



27th. — Good Friday. 



28th. — Brinklow. I rode Drackley's brown 

 horse, and Ro rode " The King," also Drackley's. 



29th. — Wyken. A bitter cold day ; did not do 

 much and finished at Lindley. I rode Kelly's big 

 horse and Ro the roan. Drackley said he would 

 mount me next day with the Pytchley. Just as he 

 was galloping away I shouted, " Put the horse in the 

 train at Nuneaton ". 



Monday morning, 31st. — I took my own saddle, 

 for Drackley's tackle was not of the best, and when I 

 got to Nuneaton found no horse. I went on to 

 Rugby to Captain Beattie's, and met his son Charlie 

 at the door. I said, " Father in ? " He said, " He's 

 not up yet ; he's not very well ". I said, " I have got a 

 saddle but not a horse ; Drackley has disappointed 

 me ". He went up to see his father and came back 

 saying, "It's all right ". He lent me a real nice horse. 

 It had been returned to him for swishing its fences, 

 but it was a clipping fencer. The Captain came out 

 later in the day. 



J St April, 1 89 1. — Atherstone Hounds, Twycross. 



