328 HUNTING, ANCIENT AND MODERN 



Jack and Soapey are talking about getting to the 

 meet at Dallington Burn Cross Roads : — 



" ' How far? ' asked Sponge. 



'" Good 20 miles,' replied Jack; 'it's 15 from us, it'll be a good bit 

 more from here.' " 



" ' His lordship will lay out overnight, then ? ' observed Sponge. 



" ' Not he,' replied Jack ; ' takes better care of his sixpences than 

 that. Up in the dark, breakfast by candle-light, grope our ways to the 

 stable and blunder along the deep lanes, and through all the bye-roads 

 in the country — get there somehow or another.' 



" ' Keen hand ! ' observed Sponge. 



" ' Mad 1 ' replied Jack." 



— and with that my young friend closed the book 

 with a bang and looked up with the air of one who 

 has scored a point. 



"No !" he resumed, "I can't see the pleasure or fun 

 of these proceedings. Look what a contrast nowa- 

 days ! Suppose that conversation between Sponge 

 and Spraggon to take place in these times : — 



" ' What distance ? ' says Sponge. 



" ' Twenty miles! " says Spraggon. 



"Sponge rings the bell for Spigot and orders his 

 motor to be round at 10.30 to-morrow. 



" Or, if Spraggon had said the meet was at a bad 

 place, Sponge would have buzzed off in his motor to 

 meet Mr. PufSngton's hounds in the next country. 

 Also Jawleyford, though he hated putting up Sponge's 

 piebald hack, would have had no objection to taking 

 in his motor. So, you see, modern civilisation has a 

 few advantages where hunting is concerned." 



"From more 'advantages of modern civilisation' 

 may hunting long be spared I " I fervently replied. 



