42 Hunting in the Golden Days. 



in a bed-gown sort of coat and old tanned leathers, for 

 Jowles is a careful man, and although it is Christmas 

 Day he will not spoil his master's livery, and keeps his 

 old clothes for kennel use. Very different he looks 

 when at the head of his pack, leading them out on a 

 hunting morning with his old-fashioned hunting cap 

 and voluminous red coat. Even the horse on which he 

 rides knows more about hunting than many a Christian. 



The hounds are all carefully reviewed, their merits 

 discussed upon, and their shortcomings described. 



" There is a good old hound," says Sir John, ** one ot 

 the most reliable in the pack. No better one to take 

 out when you are entering young ones, she is so steady, 

 and never from a puppy have I known her to run riot or 

 give tongue unless she is on the line of a fox. Here, 

 again," pointing to a fine upstanding bitch, " is 

 Marigold, the truest and best of hounds that was ever 

 whelped. She is a five-seasons bitch, and one of the 

 fleetest I have. I can always tell her notes when I 

 hear her give tongue in cover, as they are so melodious. 

 And there is a promising young one," which at that 

 moment comes up and places its fore paws against the 

 Squire, who fondles its head and encourages it with a 

 winning little cry. 



In an adjoining kennel of diminutive proportions a 

 pack of beagles are kept. These are the property of 

 Eric Jarvis. 



Evening is drawing in, so after a stroll round the 

 deer park, passing an old water-mill which supplies the 

 mansion with water, and calling in to give instructions 

 at a gamekeeper's cottage, they return to the house, 

 where they discover the party assembled in the drawing- 

 room discussing afternoon tea. Sir John and Goodbery 

 are not much addicted to this new habit of tea- 



