ii6 ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



the Leasowe road we were puzzled by one or two counters, but crossed at 

 Spragg's brewery, and then took a journey through the shades of the market 

 gardens, where I fear the early produce suffered some little damage. We were 

 soon on the grass again, and back for the flats, where, leaving a block of 

 cottages called Twenty Row on our right, we headed straight for Sutton's farm 

 at Leasowe, up to ^\■hich they rattled at such a rate that most of us were 

 distanced, and could only follow their cry. The hare now considered herself 

 far enough, and began to think about her '• 'appy 'ome," which, like the recruit, 

 she was destined to see " never no more ; " and so the pack came back 

 towards us. Unfortunately a dog as big as a camel got view of her, and 

 stretched her legs till near the top end of the Birkett, where we got rid of him 

 and laid the pack on again. Along the left bank and then across the water 

 they fairly raced for a mile over a grass countrj^ without a hedge to stop them, 

 and, following in the rear, the question became " to swim or not to swim ; " but 

 nearing Wallasey Pool we were just able to see the pack take the water like 

 otter hounds, and, after a momentary pause, break into full cry up the hill 

 towards the windmill. The scent had held so well that there were no checks 

 to speak of, and the pace was so telling that nothing short of a horse could 

 live with it, and so the hare, which ran so bravely, fell to the pack close to 

 Mosslands, after a splendid hunt of one hour and eight minutes. The luncheon 

 so kindly offered to us at this hospitable house was most acceptable, and I am 

 sure we did most ample justice to it. 



I find from old records that a hare was found by the Royal Rock Beagles 

 on the 17th October, 1846, close to Mr. Littledale's house. The account says : 

 " She made straight into the grounds in front of the house. They hunted her 

 from this, when she made direct for Mr. Riplej-'s house near the church, 

 round the stone quarry, and into the little gorse covert near Mr. Ripley's house. 

 Being driven from this, she made straight back for Seacombe, do\\n the road 

 towards the bridge, where we whipped off, it being dark." 



The pack are as staunch in 1875 as they were in 1846. At any rate we 

 accounted for our hare, and I should like to see many such runs over Wallase}- 

 flats ; but in these days one would be almost as likely to find a hare in 

 Trafalgar Square. Little Jelly Dog. 



Monday, February 14TH, 1848. 

 Beeston Station. Turned out at g-30. Soon found near the Castle, and 

 after a capital run of three-quarters of an hour, ran her into a canal, where a 

 boatman picked her up. Soon found again, and after an hour and a half's run,' 

 we lost near the cover, and then went off to Mr. Bird's house, where we received 

 that warm and hearty welcome that never fails us, from our kind friend, Mrs. 

 Bird. After partaking of her bountiful hospitality, word was brought us that 

 our old hare was returned to her old form. We soon found her, and after half 

 an hour's splendid sport, killed her fairly in the open. Every hound did his 

 duty perfectly. Many of us then ascended the Castle, and when we w'ere there 

 posted, a hare that was set for us was started. For three-quarters of an hour 

 we witnessed every turn of the hare, every double she made, and every check 

 they came to. She never went 300 yards from the foot of the hill, and was 

 during all that time never out of our sight. Seldom could such a scene be 

 witnessed as we saw on this occasion, and the truth with which the pack hunted 

 their game pleased everyone. Finding herself hard pressed, she made straight 

 off for the new park, which, however, she could never reach, but was fairl}- run 

 down in the open, after as glorious a run as ever was witnessed. Altogether 

 a most delightful day. Fourteen members ; 17 couples. Kills Nos. 28, 29, 

 and 30. 



