/ 



SADDLE OR SALMON. 109 



and scratches, their legs in all manner of shapes, and their corn 

 bills perhaps unpaid. We see none of this, and think nothing 

 of it, if only we can get out hunting on something else, till 

 the time comes for closing the season — and paying up. Now 

 we can just achieve a daily canter in a sunny field, and thus 

 keep circulation and digestion going in spite of the north wind 

 and mid-day luncheons. Thus, too, we keep the residue of the 

 stable ready for the day when the snowdrifts shall have melted 

 and frost lost its hold where the hedgerows shelter. And what 

 then ? Three weeks, perhaps, with good luck, and a generous 

 management. Well, we have seen many a good gallop in March, 

 even in April. Why should we not again ? 



SADDLE OR SALMON. 



Wednesday, March 14. — Welcome is a day's hunting after 

 a week of abstinence and many many hours of grumbling. 

 The Belvoir came to Croxton Park, though the hillsides were 

 streaked with snow, and though it was still matter for a council 

 of war as to where hunting might be most possible. The 

 younger half of Melton had put themselves under the leader- 

 ship of science and maturity, and had gone off to the Quorn 

 and Donnington Hunt Steeplechases — as if the hunting season 

 was all before them. A sage majority preferred to swallow the 

 north wind with the help of saddle and sandwiches, rather than 

 of salmon and champagne, with, perhaps, the loss of various 

 tenners — and a run. " My clear fellow, Coston Covert to Gunby 

 Gorse ! what more do you want ? " This the minority had to 

 face on their return ; and were made to take in as much of it 

 as they would. For all their Avell-fed incredulity, it was true 

 — as far as the point (some five miles) was concerned — and all 

 praise to Gillard and the Belvoir pack that it was so. Little 

 scent, but a good fox, made the distance. The ploughs were 

 clotty ; and the grass was rotten in its half-thawed state. The 

 former carried no scent at all ; but the latter did its duty by 



