1871-72] Frank Beers Diaries. 127 



kennels with the hounds. I rode two of my best horses, 

 and my second horse was so tired that he could scarcely 

 get home. My two whippers-in reached home about two 

 hours after me. 18 couples bitches. I rode Cheerful and 

 Brocklesby. 



''Jan. 2gth. — Stowe-Nine-Churches. Found and went 

 away directly straight over the hill, leaving Dodford on 

 the left, and ran to ground under the London and North- 

 Western Railroad. Found again in Little Preston 

 Wood, and killed at Mill Spinney, close to Fawsley. I 

 rode Ensign and Rifleman. 19 couples of bitches. 



"Jan. 31st. — Hartwell. Found in Ash Leys. Away 

 through Plane Woods to Tiffield Allotments, turned to 

 the right under Eastcote, and ran the fox to ground in 

 Mr Grove's Earths ; bolted and killed him. Another 

 fox bolted out, went away past Drayson's House Grims- 

 cote Heath, pointing for Astcote Thorns, and ran into 

 a barn at Pattishall and killed him. A most capital 

 day's sport. I rode Oxford and Rifleman. 21 couples, 

 dogs. 



'' Feb. gth. — Bradden. Killed a turn down fox at 

 Bradden Ponds. Kingthorn Wood blank. Just as we 

 were putting them into Astcote Thorns a halloa brought 

 us back to Potcote, but no fox ! Found in Lichborough 

 Coppice, and ran away past Foxley to Bradden Brook, 

 turned to the right, leaving Blakesley on the left, to 

 Foxley, to ground near Grimscote Heath, at a killing 

 pace the whole way. Don't remember seeing hounds 

 run faster. Found again in Seawell Wood ; ran to 

 Farthingstone Wood, to Mantel's Heath, Hen Wood, 

 back to Farthingstone Village, to Seawell Wood and 

 Lichborough. Hounds raced him in view to a drain, 

 put a Roman candle in the drain, he bolted (no 

 w^onder!), and they killed him in two fields. I rode 



