154 Ctuice ^oltr. 



as judgment, had got over with a considerable 

 scramble, in the only jumpable place thereabouts. 



His position was then enviable enough, for the 

 breaking of the bank where he landed effectually 

 barred the possibility of his example being followed, 

 and so he galloped away over the sky-line hands down 

 and alone save for the racing pack, which were silently 

 but surely gaining ground on as stout and straight- 

 necked a vulpine rover as ever broke covert. 



Twenty-five minutes to oneself with a crack pack 

 of hounds, in the very cream of their country, does 

 not fall during a lifetime to the lot of many of us, 

 and Tom and his little hog-maned grey very richly 

 deserved the general congratulations vouchsafed 

 them upon the arrival of the remainder of the field 

 at Bleakdown Ash, where the staunch old fox availed 

 himself of an open earth, after running, in all, for 

 forty-seven minutes, and as straight as you could 

 rule a line upon your ordnance map. 



But before even the Squire and Dick (his most 

 indefatigable huntsman) had appeared on the scene, 

 the gallant little grey's flanks had resumed their 

 wonted action ; nor were his nostrils any longer 

 quivering and distended. It was a good perform- 

 ance, and the popular master did not commit a very 

 grave error of judgment in quietly purchasing the 

 little horse there and then for 120 guineas, some 70 



