20 The Teteott Hunt UUeek. 



men and horses in that wood yonder. Hounds have 

 earthed their fox there. I am in time, after all, for 

 the finish. I shall be mentioned in the report of the 

 run as one of the few up. I hurry on, tie up my 

 horse to a bush, and steal in amongst the group of 

 first flight men. They are watching and listening, 

 with their faces turned from me. I am unnoticed. 

 I pull out a cigar and strike a light with as loud a 

 crack as I can. This has the desired effect of calling 

 attention to my presence. But, alas ! only to blast 

 my hopes. For one of the party turns towards me 

 and sings out, '' What ! you here ! Where the 

 dickens did you drop from ? You have not been 

 heard of since we left you collecting curiosities in 

 the river." " Pity you did not come on with us," 

 says another, " for we have had rather a good hunt- 

 ing run, though scent was indifferent and it died 

 away at last. Lost our fox about a mile from here ; 

 came back to this covert and found a fresh one, 

 which has gone to earth. The farmer, who lives 

 ' handy by,' says, ' 'e's a proper old chap, that's 

 what 'e is. My volks have seed un in our yard in 

 broad day. I wish 'e was dead.' So, as most of 

 the field are gone, and he will not draw any more 

 to-day, Mr. Coryton has consented to wait five 

 minutes or so, whilst the terrier is in. We may 

 have a scurry to finish the day, and then it will be 

 home, sweet home." 



