544 FOX-HOUKD, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



fellow who was so nearly chopped in covert, and then coursed by- 

 hounds for three fields. He crossed the railway, and hounds- 

 dived in and out of the deep cutting almost under the bridge on 

 which we stood — a pretty sight if a perilous chance. How we- 

 went and where we went is scarcely worth precisely puzzling 

 out. The merit of the run was to be found in sharp, pretty, 

 hunting, a fair scent, and a pleasant ride, rather than in any 

 boldness or pluck on the part of the hunted one. He only ran- 

 straight w T hen he grew tired. Then he led us across grass and 

 plough by Causton, by Bilton Village, to Overslade. The bitches- 

 were then running for blood : and in a few minutes more they 

 coursed him down, on the very confines of Rugby town and near 

 the house once Mr. Pennington's, now Mr. Clay's. 



" Ride him close up to hounds and see if he will do to carry 

 me ! " These were no doubt the home instructions of the morn- 

 insr. And the lad carried them out to the letter. But it was a> 

 little hard, was it not, on the poor boy that he should also have- 

 to carry a new yellow belt and an equally new sandwich-box of 

 very fashionable proportions ? And it was a little hard upon 

 our feelings to have to wait an extra turn at every fence for that 

 sandwich-box. The farmers of ] 890 let us come : but they 

 would gladly draw the line at second horsemen — who, once again 

 I protest and reiterate, ought to be marshalled and led, in one 

 mass under one keeper, by road and bridle way. And, under 

 whatever obligation as to a lead we may gladly place ourselves 

 one towards another, we don't want it from a sandwich- 

 box, eh % 



A MEDLEY AT LILBOURNE. 



Wednesday was hotter than ever — the most chokev day for 

 man, woman, and beast I ever remember. After a quarter of 

 an hour's gallop we gasped like fish out of water, while our 

 horses panted and dripped as if they had been swimming for 

 their lives. Not a becoming day, even for those whose youth 

 and freshness make them more or less independent of the acci- 



