404 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



for their morning tub, and for seeking such signs as the window 

 and the weather-glass may afford them to decide how they shall 1 

 be clad for the day Extra flannel and as much of it as waist- 

 coat would hold, or habit would stretch to, was the unmistakable 

 bidding of snow-hidden fields, of a weathercock glued to N.E. y 

 of a black sky and a lowering glass, on both these mornings. 

 And even then the blue tint, that year by year becomes on 

 most human features (however ordinarily hearty) a more posi- 

 tive index of weakening circulation and of sensitiveness to cold, 

 had a very general hold upon public appearance at the covert- 

 side. 



The Grafton came to Adstone, allowed a fair margin of time 

 for the weather to improve (of which, however, the weather was 

 distinctly slow to avail itself), found very few people there to 

 meet them, but picked up stragglers and recruits during the 

 next two hours. A poor morning's sport was before them — 

 though for months past their indifferent days have been few 

 and widely separated. What might have happened in the later 

 evening, from Seawell Wood, it is impossible to say. On the 

 way thither Beers met with a fall that completely stunned him, 

 and hounds were taken home. 



Tuesday, February 26th, was chosen by the North Warwick- 

 shire for a meet at Rugby. From 11 to 11.15 a general and 

 determined struggle was enacted between the rival forces of 

 chill and cherry brandy — resulting in a pronounced and wel- 

 come victory on the part of the latter. Mr. Ashton and his- 

 staff then rode into the crowded market place ; and before chill- 

 had a chance of reasserting itself, the order was given for hounds 

 to move off. This they did by a route that eventually led to' 

 Clifton on Dunsmore, followed by a prolonged train of riders 

 that fairly rivalled that of a Pytchley Wednesday — and that at 

 once set one wondering how it were possible, in case of a run 

 beginning before the long column should have deployed into 

 line, for more than one-twentieth of its number to see one yard 

 of such run. Of course they wouldn't ; and as a matter of fact 

 they (or I ought to say voe) often don't — for by no means every 



