COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 333 



right to draw Owthorpe Hills. However there is 

 no doubt of that fact, and at present I can express 

 no further opinion whether I was in error or not. 

 I must express my regret for having done what 

 was apparently a very unneighbourly act in drawing 

 Owthorpe Hills a few days before you ; but I had 

 given Payne orders to draw them, and we were on 

 our way there before I knew that you were to meet 

 at Teddingworth on the Monday following. Luckily 

 we found directly, and did not disturb a great part of 

 the covert, I will take care that it does not occur 

 again, and I hope you will find me a good neighbour 

 in every respect. 



*' Ever yours, 



"J. A. T." 



I got on very well with Payne through the 

 season, but his ways were not always my ways. 

 At the end of the season he heard that John 

 Walker was going to leave Sir Watkin Wynn, so 

 it occurred to him that Sir Watkin's hounds would 

 be a desirable cross with the Pytchley. He took 

 some bitches and went down to Wynstay and looked 

 round the place and made inquiries. A few days 

 after this I received a letter from Sir Watkin. 



" Wynstay, April, 1865. 



" Dear Jack, — 



" Here I am with my head tied up, just 

 recovering from the mumps. Seen old Walker two 

 good days this week ; he is cheery, but, poor old man, 



