142 THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



we trotted in hioh spirits to Park Wood, anticipating- a sure 

 find. The fates, however, had decreed otherwise, the 

 covert having been disturbed the day before by harriers. 

 The Kelvedon and Myless Coverts were then drawn with- 

 out success, the varmint not being- at home, or at any rate 

 not above ground. The Navestock Woods were next tried, 

 as usual without success, and the Squire then directed his 

 steps to Curtis Mill Green, where — thanks to the watchful 

 care of those fine specimens of the sporting British farmer, 

 Messrs. Hicks and Miles, we have never visited in vain — a 

 brace of foxes are always to be found, often a leash, and 

 in that respect the Green under their supervision contrasts 

 favourably with the coverts of some of their wealthy neigh- 

 bours where we have already twice experienced a blank 

 day. 



" But to return to Thursday's proceedings : the hounds 

 were scarcely in covert when a single challenge, quickly 

 followed by the welcome music of the whole pack, pro- 

 claimed that the object of our search was there and well 

 on foot. One turn round the upper end of the green and 

 away at a splitting pace for Pyrgo. Here in bygone days 

 was a drain that has often afforded safety to the vulpine 

 race, and of this apparently Reynard was thinking ; but a 

 ' change came o'er the spirit of his dream ' when he found 



