Frost-Bound still. 1 9 1 



been pursued, " C. C. H." would have found that 

 the remainder of the season would have been 

 occupied in entering and teaching the new pack 

 their business. 



The difference between what remained of the old 

 Devon and Somerset staghounds and the twenty- 

 seven couples that were sent from all quarters to 

 Mr. Bissett when his pack was partly destroyed by 

 an outbreak of hydrophobia, which occurred during 

 the past summer, was visible when I rode with 

 them even at the end of the season, notwithstand- 

 ing the pains that were taken by their clever and 

 persevering huntsman, Arthur Heal. By acting 

 with courage and discretion, Goodall saved the 

 forty-four and a-half couples of blooming hounds, 

 that will be as fit as fiddles when the frost breaks 

 up, unless I am very much mistaken indeed. 



During the break in the weather that occurred a 

 few days since, I determined to have a look at Sir 

 Robert Harvey's harriers. Fondly believing that the 

 frost was gone for good, I travelled as far as Twicken- 

 ham Common in search of a nag that should carry 

 me discreetly with that clipping pack. I had noticed 

 an advertisement in the columns of Bells Life, stating 

 that W. Sherley had a lot of horses for sale or hire, 

 so I determined to visit an old acquaintance, of 

 whom my recollections were pleasant, and with 

 whom my last transaction resulted, in a most satis- 

 factory purchase. On my arrival at Twickenham, I 

 found a lot of useful horses ; several fit to carry 

 heavy men, one especially, a clever-looking roan, up 

 to eighteen stone, and as nimble as a goat. A good- 

 looking young bay horse, standing in the first stall, 



