^ <&ooti 3aun, antr a <&ooti dTintsi]^. 175 



on Dick's horn, to duly acquaint its occupants with 

 the nature of the situation. Our hopes were not 

 destined to be long kept in suspense, for hark ! a 

 whimper, followed by a steadier and more confident 

 note, and endorsed by yet another and another, 

 proclaims that our confidence in the covert has 

 assuredly not been misplaced. These are thrilling 

 moments, and in almost less time than I have taken 

 to write the words, that there is a scent, and a good 

 one, is apparent, for that swelling chorus is evidence 

 more reliable than the duly attested oaths of all the 

 Bishops in Christendom. 



But we have no time to congratulate ourselves on 

 the fact, and hardly to peep at our watches, ere 

 " Forrard away !" rings clearly out from the far- 

 ther side of the covert, setting instantly some one 

 hundred and fifty horsemen in as rapid motion as 

 the paces of their respective steeds will admit of. 

 It is to some, and ought to be to all, a moment 

 of the supremest bliss ; but 3'et methinks that the 

 pulses of a few hardly beat in harmony with the 

 more regular palpitations of the dauntless heart 

 their waistcoats should encase ; but the dreaded 

 Filter — a twisting, treacherous stream for which our 

 fox is pointing — has, before to-day, been responsible 

 for more heart-beating than the most fickleBelle, and 

 has caused, if not uttered, quite as many refusals. 



