248 i/r. Arkwright and the Oakley. 



but not this year! " '' I'll bet you sixpence," he 

 said ; '' Done ! " cried I. 



After a real case of earning him hounds caught 

 this fox. Tom Whitmore was asked to decide the 

 wager ; but, not liking to give it against his 

 master, he said he would take the head home and 

 put it into the copper. In three days I received a 

 letter containing the old fox's tooth, and six- 

 pence ! I had that tooth mounted as a scarf-pin, 

 and I treasure it for its history. 



On meeting Mr. Arkwright at the covert side 

 he never failed to ask how I thought the pack 

 was looking. " Are they heavier or lighter than 

 the Grafton ? " he would enquire. One morning, 

 before we moved off, he said, " Oh ! if vou notice 

 anything wrong to-day I wish vou would tell 

 me." I laughed, and said, 



" To think that I could tell you anything ! " 



'' I mean what I say," he replied, and rode 

 away. 



We were not long in finding and after a turn 

 round two or three large quarters the hounds went 

 away at a good pace, down to Warrington toll- 

 bar ; but they checked at the gate leading into 

 the road. I waited a short distance from the 

 gate, and, hearing a hound speak in the road, 

 approached the gate, when, looking over, I saw 



