146 Jiitlinci; to f^ountJig. 



tortures in a trap, from treacherous poison, or 

 equally possibly have succumbed, after lingering 

 suffering, to the effects of some vital gunshot wound. 



Remember also, and beyond all else, the amount 

 of healthy pleasure he has given to men, hounds, 

 and horses (if properly ridden) ; that the odds on 

 his escaping from the pack on each occasion that he 

 ma}^ be hunted, are, from lack of scent and other 

 causes too innumerable to mention, very greatly in 

 his favour ; and also recollect that the noblest of our 

 sports, in which he plays the principal part, does 

 much good commercially to numerous branches of 

 the community, cements good feeling between all 

 classes, and is, in addition, as the great Duke of 

 Wellington said, the best school for cavalry officers. 



But our sport is over for to-day, and, having been 

 deprived of brush, mask, and pads, the shapeless 

 remains of that once bright little rover are thrown 

 aloft to be worried on their descent by the baying 

 pack below. You have long ere this, doubtless, 

 dismounted, eased your horse's girths, and turned his 

 head — if at all blown — towards such breeze as there 

 may be. Now keep him well out of the way of the 

 relentless little bitches as they dash hither and 

 thither, tearing their vanquished foe greedily into 

 tattered fragments on the sward. Keep your horses 

 well out of their way, for most dislike the smell of 



