228 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



had meat in abundance to satisfy all our wants, an< 

 to add to the store would only have had the effect 

 of demoralising our people, and consequently pro- 

 longing the journey ; so we let the beautiful specimen 

 of the Almighty's creation go on unharmed. 



A few minutes after a sharp yet half-smothered 

 yelp struck upon our ears. The note was new to 

 my companion, not so to the writer, so I told him 

 to retire with me a short distance for we had not 

 yet crossed the zebra's spoor and he would see a 

 pack of hounds in full cry that for speed, nose, and 

 endurance would surpass any he had ridden to at 

 home. Fifty paces at the most brought us back 

 to the voorloper of the hinder wagon, when we 

 halted, so as not to foul the scent and annoy the 

 pursuers. If a master of foxhounds reads this 

 one I know of in the Midland counties especially 

 I can, as I write, hear him say, " Good men, good 

 men," while possibly an adjective or two are added 

 to his encomiums that he doubtlessly derived from 

 some of his ancestors that served with our troops in 

 the " low countries." But there is a great deal of 

 excuse for masters of hounds in using strong exple- 

 tives ; for every one will acknowledge that it is trying, 



