174 ^ <^ooti 2^un, aul3 a <&ooXi dTini^I). 



latter, expressing as plainly as if in words their desire 

 to learn full particulars of what has taken place 

 during their temporary absence. 



But the last stroke of eleven has sounded, and the 

 Master, who is now in the saddle, has given Dick 

 the welcome word "Alders," and amidst a general 

 curveting of steeds a start is made thither — horsemen 

 drawing on to the spongy strip of grass which borders 

 the roadside to let the spotted beauties pass, and in 

 a very few minutes the little hostelry, w^hich was 

 so recently surrounded by such a gaily attired and 

 distinguished company, is again as deserted as is its 

 wont, save for the presence of some few grooms in 

 charge of hacks or carriages, and the usual group of 

 village idlers. 



It was our first visit to the covert this season, and 

 the slushy, rushy bridle-w^ay, fenced at first on either 

 side, was nearly impassable to the leaders, owing to 

 the over-hanging hazel boughs and entangled clusters 

 of woodbine or convolvuli that the}^ had to breast 

 through, whilst the so-called road beneath them in 

 many places more closely resembled a rivulet, except 

 that its foundations were very far less sound. 



It was all over a hunting morning, and upon 

 reaching the covert hounds eagerly dashed through 

 or over its confines after the welcome signal had 

 been given, and one long and w^arning blast sounded 



