226 REMINISCENCES OF 



In 1859 Lord Rosslyn was appointed Under- 

 Secretary for War under General Peel, and went to 

 live in London. I went on as sole Master. 



The season ended on 19th April. Hunted 

 eighty-five days ; killed twenty brace ; thirteen to 

 ground. 



The Hunt Meeting Committee paid off balance 

 of debt, leaving debt of ;^500 ; the interest to be 

 paid from subscription. 



On 13th April, 1859, the sale of the Rufford 

 Hounds took place. Sir David Baird and Alec 

 Kinloch bought four couple, which they lent to me. 

 Hay Wemyss lent us Torry House and sent the 

 key of the cellar. Bob Cathcart, Percy Williams, 

 Alec Kinloch, David Baird and myself were the 

 party. 



On the 1 8th ran a fox to ground in a coal- waste 

 near Pitfirrane. Five hounds had gone in, and I 

 was just in time to catch "Tempest" by her tail. 

 The hole was about two and a half feet in diameter. 

 While we were standing round pondering what to do, 

 a skinny, ragged boy took a bit of candle out of his 

 pocket and some lucifer matches and wobbled into 

 the hole feet foremost. He stayed away about forty 

 minutes, and we never expected to see him again, 

 and were truly glad when he reappeared, very tired 

 and covered with mud. I said. "Where have you 

 been ?" " Ower yonder," pointing at a tree on the 

 other side of the field. " And what is it like ? " 

 " High as the trees in pairts, and ye ha'e to gang on 

 hands and knees whiles!" "Did you see the hounds.-*'' 



