lo Huntmg in the Golden Days. 



gallop after a good straight-necked fox will soon put me 

 right. Anyway, Oldwig, I shall look to you to give me 

 a lead to-day, as my nerves are a little shaken, and I 

 know you never let them get far away." 



Now, if there is one thing that Oldwig likes more 

 than another it is a little soft solder. As a matter ot 

 fact, be it whispered, our friend is a bit of a funker, 

 and a deal better across country after dinner, when the 

 wine has been freely circulated, than at any other time. 

 But this is only a detail. 



By this time they have arrived at the meet, the 

 rendezvous being an old-fashioned manor house, snugly 

 nestling amongst high elm trees. The rooks, flying 

 high, are quite in a commotion to-day, as they are un- 

 accustomed to seeing so many red coats about, and fear 

 for their safety. 



The hounds are in a meadow in front of the house^ 

 surrounded by a group of admiring bumpkins. The 

 majority of the sportsmen are partaking of breakfast. 

 Let us follow Goodbery and Oldwig, who have just dis- 

 mounted and are about to enter the house. Within all 

 is bustle and excitement. The kindly host, with beaming 

 face, is cutting away at a great side of beef, assisted by 

 half-a-dozen laughing maids who are further augmented 

 by a couple of red-waistcoated servants (doubtless pro- 

 cured from the stable), for the strain on the establish- 

 ment requires all the power available. 



" How are you, Goodbery, my boy ? Take a seat next 

 to me," shouts the host, with the voice of one who is 

 accustomed to speak to people out of doors. " Come, what 

 will you take — rabbit-pie with forced-meat balls, cold 

 chicken and tongue, pigeon-pie, or a bit of that loin of 

 pork, fed on the premises, it's rare stuff to stick to your 

 ribs, my lad." 



