64? FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



the breakfast table we watched the green grass slowly reappear- 

 in" - to view. The Cottesmore had advertised for Owston Wood : 

 and well as we know that those deep deep rides were this 

 season more fathomless than ever, we had looked forward only 

 too hopefully to this, the best fixture — for the best field — of the 

 week. Snow had quickly come and gone before ; was going 

 rapidly now ; and hope was still well alive when the galloping 

 hack had shivered his ten customary minutes at the door. 

 Gaily he splashed southward, while we glanced complacently at 

 the powdered greensward, and carelessly at the black storm 

 clouds gathering northward. Not for a moment did it recur, 

 to a mind too shallow to assimilate a perspective deeper than 

 optimism, that Owston belonged to the same lofty level as 

 Burrough and Somerby — places bearing about the same rela- 

 tive temperature to Leicester and Melton as the hill quarters of 

 Simla and Ootacamund to Calcutta and Madras. The Qnorn 

 plains were now barely streaked with white ; the Burton Flat 

 was almost warm ; the Stapleford neighbourhood was absolutely 

 green. But we rose to Somerby to find the snow balling" 

 perilously in horses' feet, the turf covered three inches deep 

 — and a cold misty atmosphere welcoming us heavenward. 

 Underfoot and overhead matters grew worse and worse as we 

 neared Owston Wood — sauntering leisurely under the thought 

 that if hunting was to take place at all, it must be on the lower 

 ground or after midday. But, punctual to their destiny, hounds 

 were already in the wood ; and presently were to be met work- 

 ing their way from west to east — while a very limited and chilled 

 escort skirmished parallel with them, ploughing through the 

 great dark covert, or slipping about like cats on walnutshells 

 in the snow outside. A cold wet drizzle gradually systematised 

 itself into a dark driving snowstorm ; and the miserable aspect 

 of the sky found its reflex on faces that had hitherto contrived 

 to maintain much of their brightness and bravery. The better 

 sex came far more creditably through the ordeal. Men looked 

 blue with cold, black with misery, and stayed on till all hope 

 and feeling was gone. Women grew pinker, and to all appear- 



