442 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



all — that the tufters do not often get away for the day, or the 

 whole pack for the night. 



What may have happened to the four deer and the three 

 hounds for the next few minutes I cannot say — though I am 

 inclined to think that the whole of both parties were all the 

 time within a few hundred yards — while most of us rode 

 aimlessly about, and the huntsman bided his while. For all at 

 once the brake seemed alive with buck and with hounds. A 

 white-gravelled forest road skirted the covert side ; and across 

 it in opposite directions came a single buck either way, then 

 from different directions the tufters— to be stopped, while 

 consultation was held. 



Soon it was determined to follow with the tufters the buck 

 that had broken back for the more open country towards 

 Sluflers ; to force him, if possible, well away from the heavy 

 mass of Inclosures into which the others had dived. (At least 

 I presume this was the object.) Accordingly the trio of old 

 hounds were laid on, and their voices were soon going among 

 heather and holly (the latter, be it explained, the chief under- 

 growth and shrub of the forest). On reaching Sluflers (how 

 curious a nomenclature belongs to these woods !), not only a 

 buck, but several does were before them. A grand old fox 

 showed himself, too ; and gazed with wonder — maybe with 

 scorn, according to his light — on the curious function. But he, 

 of course, passed unnoticed by hounds or spectators — though 

 he fairly winked in the face of Povey and the whips of the 

 New Forest Foxhounds ; and the latter gentleman had to fall 

 back for revenge upon tuning up to a deer crossing the main 

 ride. A hunt servant as a looker-on is always a pleasing sight. 

 He is a very boy on a holiday. No one so keen, no one so 

 appreciative. The only parallel I know is a playactor 

 scrutinising a first night from the stalls. 



The value and whereabouts of the deer was now the conun- 

 drum which the tufters were given the task of elucidating. 

 One hound was shortly stopped on a doe. The other couple 

 then gave sharp chase to something unknown, but seen from a 



