The Gcncscc Vallcn 105 



Before we reach the kennels the hounds have "winded" us 

 and their music begins. They are standing in twos and threes, 

 with their noses pressing the cracks in the high board fence 

 surrounding their court. Those who detect in the air the 

 approach of strangers, are barking Hke watch-dogs, but the 

 older hounds who also discover in it the approach of tlie Master, 

 are baying to it with joyous exclamations in anticipation of 

 the unkenneling which is sure to follow. 



Buttry's voice outside the kennels rises above the hound 

 clamour within, and the tumult gradually ceases with a few 

 sharp barks, mutterings and smothered growlings, that can't 

 sto]) altogether when it once gets started. 



The entry room — Buttry's room — contains almost every- 

 thing from coupling irons to distemper cure, that a hound is 

 ever likely to require and with closets for everything. We 

 are helped into a kennel coat, a sort of linen duster that comes 

 down to our ankles to prevent the hounds — if inclined to be too 

 demonstrative — from soiling our clothes. 



The Master tills his pockets with oatmeal biscuits and leads 

 the way to the south wing of the kemiels — the bitches' 

 quarters. They are all outside in the open court. Buttry, who 

 is inside the kennel, goes to tlie door and holding it ojjen wide 

 enough for one hound to enter at a time, begins drafting them 

 in for our inspection. "Blue Bells! Blue Bells!" is the first 

 to be called, and that beautiful })itch comes crowding her way 

 through the feathering, jostling pack and trots joyfully up 

 to the INIaster to seek in his outstretched hand the bit of biscuit 

 she knows so well is there to reward her. "This is Blue Bells 

 by Blue Boy, out of Bonnie I.,ass, the best hound I ever saw. 

 Blue Bells is marked like her grandsire and has the same 

 fastidious kennel habits as her dam." 



Barmaid comes next in order, and is jwking her sensitive 



nose into the Master's hand before he is aware of her presence. 



"This is a daughter of Bartender," explains our blaster, "a 



