130 Frank Beers' Diaries. [1872-73 



on the left, over the road through Floore Village, 

 Brockhall on the left, to Brington, and leaving Buckby 

 Wharf on the left to Crick Station, over the railroad to 

 Welton. Here the scent got dreadful; a cold drizzling 

 rain came on, prevented us killing our fox. This was 

 undoubtedly the same fox all the way, and we were 

 unfortunate in not killing him ; it would have been quite 

 a 'red-letter' day. 20 couples of bitches. I rode 

 Stepaway and Brocklesby. There were numerous falls, 

 and several came to grief at Newbottle Brook. A very 

 stiff country indeed. 



''Dec. 2nd. — Preston Capes. Found in HoUowell Pool, 

 ran to Charwelton, lost him. Found another in Hinton 

 Gorse, away at a rattling pace to Church Wood, through 

 Ashby Ponds to Moreton Pinkney, to the right up to the 

 Sulgrave Road, back to Eydon, leaving the house and 

 gorse on the left, and away pointing for Red Hill, but 

 bore away to Hinton Gorse, back through Hinton Village 

 to Woodford, and killed him in the churchyard. About 

 an hour and thirty-five minutes. I rode Stepaway and 

 jumped the new railway railings by Moreton Pinkney, 

 and stopped the whole Field, so that I had it to myself 

 for over three miles — quite alone ! Rifleman second 

 horse. 18^ couples of bitches." 



Dec. 9th. — Adstone. Found a bob-brushed fox at 

 Lichborough Coppice. Ran thirty-five minutes close on 

 his back all the way, and killed at Lichborough. Found 

 another at Grimscote Heath and lost him at Heyford. 



"Dec. 30th. — Preston Capes. Found at Hinton 

 Gorse ; away at a tremendous pace to Ganderton's, 

 turned to the left through Church Wood, away through 

 the village, leaving Little Preston just on the right, and 

 then over the road pointing for Canons Ashby to 

 Adstone, turned short over the brook, leaving Maidford 



