26 TyUxQB ot tbe 1^3nntin(5^3ftel^ 



was with them when they ran into their fox after a 

 twelve-mile run, then walked back to Cheltenham, close 

 upon thirty miles, and wound up the day's sport with a 

 badger hunt by moonlight, having covered over eighty 

 miles before he turned in to rest. It would be hard to 

 beat that, as an example of mingled endurance and 

 enthusiasm for sport. 



Another equally eccentric character was Sam Curnock. 

 Sam was also a runner, and, presumably, did well enough 

 until he attained the age of sixty-six, when he thought 

 it was time to give up hunting on foot, so he put forth 

 the following appeal : — 



' Petition of Curnock, the runner with the Duke of 

 Beaufort's and Lord Fitzhardinge's hounds : — 



' My dear Friends, Gentlemen Sportsmen, — I have 

 taken the liberty of writing these few lines to inform 

 you that I have followed the Berkeley and Beaufort 

 hounds chiefly ever since I was eleven years of age, 

 and never did but little else, so, gentlemen sportsmen, 

 I wish to give you a just information of the distance I 

 have been to covert in a morning. When I have left 

 home I have been times without number to the meet. 

 When the day's sport was ended I have been fifteen or 

 sixteen miles from home, and returned home the same 

 evening in a short time, besides a good run after the 

 hounds. 



' So now, gentlemen sportsmen, I hope that you will 

 be pleased to take this into consideration, and be pleased 

 to allow me thirty pounds per annum for the support of 

 me and my wife, from all of you, gentlemen sportsmen, 

 as I am in the year of 6y, and I begin to find the time 

 of life, and I will return you many thanks for your 

 kindness ; and, gentlemen sportsmen, I wish you all long 



