06 HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



time of it ; but running round and round, they 

 did not account for the customer, although he 

 was dead beat and viewed several times across 

 the drives. At the death all hounds put in their 

 appearance; so, possibly, though I don't think 

 it likely, both portions of the pack ran their fox 

 into the same earth. We then adjourned once 

 more to the Lawn. A never failing covert was 

 then drawn, and all the biped pack had a regular 

 merry time over the good things provided. 

 Casualties were not worth mentioning; one 

 horse hurt his shoulder, and the usual falls took 

 place owing to horses being pumped. Mr. 

 Bourne and Dr. Marshall were well to the fore, 

 as also the lady on Old Joe. The Master was 

 always there, but that is perfectly unnecessary 

 to state, as upon all occasions he is ready to lend 

 his hounds a helping hand when at fault, and 

 this cannot be done in this land of the steam 

 plough without consummate skill in handling 

 your horse as well as your hounds. Foxes are 

 exceedingly plentiful about the Rochford 

 country, and it is to be hoped that Captain 

 White will bring his hounds down here as often 

 as he possibly can ; the big woodlands require 

 hunting at least once a week in order to get the 

 foxes to fly. Too much praise cannot be bes- 

 towed upon those gentlemen who so kindly 

 allow their land to be ridden over, and also for 

 their preservation of foxes ; for I must tell you 

 that as soon as it was generally understood that 

 Captain White would bring his pack into 

 Rochford Hundred, the idea was hailed with 

 delight; and now we have the best head of 



