A CURE FOR INFLUENZA. 479 



the country superb, the pace good enough, and not a youth going 

 more gaily than the veteran Mr. Gordon, of the Fitzvvilliam. Our 

 fox might possibly have done more for us yet, but the terrier 

 had him out so quickly, that we had not cleared the course. 

 And poor Reynard, starting as it were before the flag fell, took 

 the wrong course and was met by hounds. Thus ended the 

 fourth hunt of the day. But appetites were only whetted. 

 Just the opportunity for Crick Gorse on the quiet. And 

 thither we went. Yet so long were hounds in covert without a 

 note that even the little party were soon diminished by half, 

 and only a forlorn hope remained. But the off-chance came 

 off this time ; and suddenly we awoke to Goodall's horn. 

 Hounds had more than their legitimate start (an ncertain and 

 attenuated quantity, too, in these times and places) ; and were 

 speeding ahead, with the two good yeomen Messrs. Cooper and 

 Martin in nearest pursuit. Then I remember a gate that had 

 every appearance of being locked, and half-a-dozen men pulling 

 up to fumble. With the ready eye of one who has no fear for 

 a few thorns but a wholesome respect for the stronger forms of 

 impediment, I went for the gap immediately alongside — to 

 undergo, while in the air, some such sensation as a swimmer's 

 at the sight of a shark. About five feet from the ground a 

 bright barbed wire stretched from side to side. What became 

 of it I know not ; for it was gone with the shriek of agony that 

 I made believe to be a caution to comrades, but that was in 

 reality the outcry of a terrified soul. And I merely mention 

 this episode as showing that even in well-disposed districts a 

 dangerous strand may be left here and there — the shepherd 

 arguing that such and such a spot will never be chosen to 

 jump. After a slight check on the Crick-and-Lilbourne bridle- 

 lane we went forward blithely — a strong, but clean-cut and 

 charming, country opening to our front — the beautiful valley, 

 in fact, 'twixt the villages of Lilbourne and Yelvertoft; and 

 across which, you may remember, we rode with so much happy 

 zest about the end of last season, from Lilbourne Gorse. We 

 had now a bold hearted fox before us ; for he crossed each field 



