HUNTING IN ESSEX. 243 



vellous pace ; Messrs. Sworder, Miles, Coleman, Pratt, 

 Barber, etc. It was satisfactory to find that the 

 tenant farmers of Essex were, even in these dismal 

 times, represented by good men and true sportsmen. 



So, moving off, we draw the Moors, a likely-looking 

 covert, which, however, does not hold a fox to-day ; 

 then on to Gilstead Hall Covers, where we again fail 

 to find. Next, we try Locksmith's Wood, but Reynard 

 is from home on this occasion, though he was known 

 to have been in the locality the previous day. Missing 

 Weald Hall Park, which is a certain find, in conse- 

 quence of Mr. Tower having fixed an early day to 

 shoot his well-preserved covers, we draw unsuccess- 

 fully the Vicarage Woods and the Oaks. I attribute 

 the scarcity of foxes in these well-known coverts to 

 the fact of the crafty animals preferring the shelter of 

 the dry hedgerows at this season, where they are less 

 likely to be disturbed by the shooters and the rustling 

 of the fallen leaves. Be that as it may, the same want 

 of success attended our endeavours to find one of the 

 vulpine race even in the extensive covers of Dagenham 

 Park, though Bailey drew them thoroughly. Then we 

 trotted off to Pirgo Park Wood, in which my far- dated 

 experience of that well-known cover led me to the 

 conclusion that we should not fail to find a fox, and a 

 good one too. ' ' Loo in, Loo in," ' ' Halloo in," " Yoi, 

 have at him there," cries Bailey. A hound speaks, 

 then a musical chorus proclaims that we've found. 

 "Hold hard!" cries Firr, the first whip; "let him 

 have a chance to get away ;" and at that moment I view 

 a stout fox sloping off from the wood and going at full- 

 speed over a large ploughed field in the direction of 

 Curtice Mill Cover, whilst loud cries of " Tally ho ! 



