BOBBIE DAWSON. 101 



three pictures, and side by side with the panorama of Tom 

 Moody's funeral in his mind was another similar event ; 

 not far off in a secluded and beautiful valley, not in the 

 new church — no ! it must not be there, it must be in that 

 old building where as a lad he went, and to whose God's 

 Acre he had followed the last but two of the old school of 

 sportsmen, who had for well on to a century, year in and year 

 out, hunted on those rough hills and moors with him. To the 

 letter it was to be like unto that he had seen portrayed at 

 Potto. He had it all in his mind's eye. It was his last wish, 

 and it was carried out. Would he could but have seen it. 

 The following lines written on Tom Moody will not only give 

 an insight into the character of the pictures which Bobbie 

 saw, but at the same time fairly accurately tell the story of 

 his own burial : — 



Six crafty earth-stoppers in hunter's green dressed 

 Supported poor Tom to an earth made for rest : 

 His horse, which he styled his " Old Soul," next appeared, 

 On whose forehead the brush of his last fox was reared. 

 Whip, cap, boots, and spurs in a trophy were bound, 

 And here and there followed an old straggling hound. 

 Ah ! no more at his voice yonder vales will they trace ! 

 Nor the wrekin resound his first burst in the chase ! 



Thus Tom spake his friends, ere he gave up his breath — 

 Since I see you're resolved to be in at the death, 

 One favour bestow — 'tis the last I shall crave — 

 Give a rattling,, view halloo, thrice over ray grave ; 

 And unless at that warning I lift up my head, 

 My boys you may fairly conclude I am dead ! 

 Honest Tom was obeyed, and the shout rent the sky, 

 For every voice joined in the tally-ho ! cry. 



Tally-ho ! hark forward ! 



Tally-ho ! Tally-ho ! 



Unfortunately, at the time of the funeral I was engaged 

 on the staff of a sporting newspaper, and could not get away 

 to Bilsdale to see the end of my old friend. The following 

 description of " The Last Meet " gives a fairly accurate 

 description of what took place : — 



" Unique as the ceremony was, it was characterised by rural 

 simplicity. The slow, solemn procession from the house to the church- 



