SOME HUMOURS OF THE CHASE 291 



the whipper-in, in tones of suppressed triumph at the 

 failure. " And what the devil would I want a candle 

 for ? " said the countryman, with astonishment. " 'Cos 

 he's afraid o' the dark. Can't ye see he's afraid o' 

 the dark ? " said the delighted whip. " Hah ! 'ere 

 comes old Jakes" (a kennel terrier). "Now we shan't 

 be long!" 



The second whipper-in in some Hunt establishments 

 has been known to fill, in addition to his active 

 occupations, a position somewhat similar, in its passive 

 duties, to that of the whipping-boy of ancient days, 

 or at least to act as a sort of buffer to divert his 

 Master's wrath from the really guilty. 



" Ned," who was for many years second whipper-in to 

 that glorious sportsman the late Mr. Robert Watson, 

 used occasionally to act as a safety valve for his 

 Master's wrath : but I recollect an occasion on which 

 he fairly turned the tables. We were running a fox 

 from the BuUingate covert towards Coollattin, and 

 were on the hill-slopes above Donishall when scent 

 failed rather suddenly. A good field was out, several 

 strangers who were staying with Lord Fitzwilliam 

 among the number. Ever anxious to show sport, the 

 Master appeared to be doubly eager that day, yet cast 

 as he would he could get no touch of his fox. At last, 

 far below him on the Carnew road, his quick eye dis- 

 cerned a scarlet-clad horseman with his cap off : it was 

 Ned ! his own Ned ! whom at that moment I am sure 

 he heartily blessed. Getting the pack to his horse's 

 heels with one touch of his horn, he hurried at break- 

 neck speed down the slopes. " Which way did he go ? " 

 shouted he, as soon as he got within hail of his servant. 



