io6 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



As a beagler, Hall was as " good as they make "em." To few people is 

 it given to have such an eye for spotting a hare on its form ; he could see it 

 when others could not, though the position was pointed out. indeed it is very 

 difficult for any but a trained eye to distinguish a hare on its form, as it seems 

 to have just the colour of its surroundings. Hall knew all the hounds by 

 name, and could distinguish them at any distance ; even walking home with 

 the hounds in the dark he would address them by name, when others could 

 only discern light-coloured moving patches, which probably were hounds, as 

 they were known to be in the immediate vicinity. Sceptics on these occa- 

 sions have been heard to remark that he called tlie names hap-hazard, 

 trusting to the ignorance of his companions. Hall's portrait is among those 

 of beaglers at Whitby, and also at Raby. 



C- Uempest 3)ij:on- 



'' And, starting so, 

 He seem'd in running to devour the way. 

 Staying no longer question." 



King Ilfiiry IV, Part II, act i, scene i. 



Dixon is one of the best known and most useful members of the Hunt, 

 having been a beagler for over a quarter of a century. Previous to his join- 

 ing the R.R.B. in 1872, he had, for a couple of seasons, been invited by the 

 jNIaster (A^ A, King) to come out and carry a whip. Since 1890, Dixon has 

 been our indefatigable treasurer, and, ex officio, has a ):iermanent seat on the 

 committee. 



Temp. Dixon, as he is known to his friends, comes very near to being 

 tlie senior member of the Hunt, as there are only three names before his on 

 the list in order of seniority. Having carried a whip from the fust, he is now 

 the senior whip, and in the absence of the Master he acts as his deputy, 

 taking charge of the hounds in the field. He has all the elements of a 

 master in his sporting composition, and, in fact, when our present Master was 

 approached by a deputation inviting him to allow himself to be nominated 

 for the post, he replied that he would like the office, but only if Dixon found 

 that his business would prevent him from taking it. We all look upon Dixon 

 as a model beagler, vide his portrait in the Raby group. He is quick in 

 spying a hare on her form or stealing away in the distance, and as a runner he 

 is well to the front whenever there is a good run. His cry of " Hold hard !" 

 is familiar to us, and quite ready when anyone is pressing too closely on the 

 hounds. A very amusing circumstance occurred a year or two ago, when 

 Dixon was out with the Cheshire Beagles. He was running well in front, 

 when some one from the rear called out, " Hold hard ! " Those of us who 

 knew Dixon were interested to see how he would take this outrage. He 

 seemed at first unable to realize that the remark had been addressed to him. 



