i8o ^ (§ootr 3^1111, autJ a <&ooti dTini^f). 



have enough to do to take care of ourselves and 

 keep hounds in sight, so must leave him, poor fellow, 

 with his horse's extended feet planted firmly in the 

 bottom of the hedge, as, with dilated nostrils and 

 quivering tail, his body literally rocks in response to 

 his hard and quickened breathing. 



You may try to ride him over, or to lead him, but 

 your wisest course is to get him to the nearest 

 stable, and recruit his shattered energies as best 

 you can ; but we who have still a canter left must 

 leave you to your own troubles and meditations, and 

 I think, Sir, that you must now regret the liberties 

 you took with him during those rapturous minutes 

 which proved to be but the preface to this fine run. 



But hark ! as we are hunting on more slowly 

 again, from yonder hill comes a holloa, and a billy- 

 cock waved by a friendly ploughman certifies to its 

 correctness. The intelligence is, moreover, welcome, 

 for the short turns our fox has been latterly making 

 have caused even Dick to doubt ever so little as to 

 how our glorious run may terminate. But now it is 

 another matter, and lifting them as quickly to the 

 spot as his good grey can now bustle along, hounds 

 quickly pick up the scent again, and with gladden- 

 ing cry commence to run as keenly as at first — 

 indeed, more so, if it were possible— but the pace 

 cannot, we know, continue now for long, and in a 



