The Bicester. 287 



the left of Sulgrave, bearing towards Allithorn, 

 over Stuchbury, leaving Greatworth on the right, 

 when hounds began to run for the fox, leaving 

 Greatworth Hall on the left, close past the earths, 

 and soon after I jumped through a thick hedge, 

 and called to what I took to be a man — but it 

 proved to be a scarecrow or ' Mawkin ' — and 

 asked if he had seen the fox. Winfield, who was 

 close by, was greatly amused, and said, " My 

 father once asked a ' Mawkin ' if he had seen the 

 fox I " We soon had the fox in view, and Duster 

 and Grasper were not long in rolling him over at 

 Halse. 



The one and only instance in which I saw one 

 pack of hounds join another happened thus : The 

 Grafton were in the woods near Silverstone on a 

 Saturday afternoon running a fox, when I remarked 

 to Simpson that our pack had greatly increased 

 in number. In a few minutes Winfield and others 

 came up. The meeting of the huntsmen was 

 very hearty, and after shaking hands Simpson 

 said, " Now Mr. Winfield please take charge." 



"Oh!" said Winfield, "I could not think of 

 it in your country ; please go on." 



Mr. Drake's hounds had brought their fox 

 some miles ; but for want of scent the united 

 pack did not get on. Winfield therefore asked 



