318 WHICH IS THE BEST 



by a scream of encouragement which somehow gives 

 one a thrill, and knocks listlessness out of the most 

 phlegmatic. Up come blowing steeds ; up come pant- 

 ing ponies, with excited juveniles, whose bright eyes 

 and glowing cheeks testify to unabated ardour. 

 Forrard away ! It is a long stretch of grass this 

 time, and in the form of a wedge the pack is straining 

 across it at a pace that soon makes most of the ponies 

 and " good family horses " seem almost to be going 

 backwards instead of forwards, so far are they left 

 behind. 



Now the screens are close ahead. Bend away a bit 

 to the left for the gate — and here we are under the 

 trees. " Tally-ho ! there he goes along the ride ! " He 

 just passed the gate as we reached it, and here come 

 the hounds thundering along, and a bit nearer to him 

 than they were at the spinney, I do think. Follow 

 them along the ride ? No, thank you ! I know the 

 holding properties of those muddy rides of old. For 

 me, the turf outside, and a canter across to cut off 

 a big corner to the next gate, where we arrive on still 

 hard-pulling horses. In luck again ! There goes the 

 fox along the ride, but is he the hunted one ? Look 

 round at this other fellow who has come out from 

 the screen behind us, and is hurrying across the park ; 

 no longer the smooth-going streak, but apparently 

 high on the leg, and how his brush has dropped ! 

 But hounds are coming along the screen still ! Hark 

 to their cry ! Yes ; but see, old Artful is coming away 

 from the screen, and some of her gossips with her in 

 chase of No. 2 ! Also, hark to the horn, and the 

 Master's " Yoi there ! " He has grasped the situation. 



