132 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



his Pony, was first on the spot, (having gone through a rehearsal 

 the previous night) he was soon joined by the Lawyer, Doctor, 

 Parson, and sundry lookers on. It was soon proved that the 

 Dogs stood no chance with the Pony, who regularly walked up 

 to the hares, to the surprise and admiration of the field : it imme- 

 diately occurred to the Parson that if he could possess the Pony 

 he would be able to ride to his sport without the trouble of 

 hunting with dogs, and offered to buy him of the Butcher, and, 

 although the price set upon him was at first an obstacle, he 

 ultimately purchased him at the price asked. 



The coursing match had thinned the hares in the Pony's circuit 

 very considerably, and the Parson and Pony were busy among 

 the remainder till they were all exterminated. Day after day the 

 Parson on the Pony went out, but returned empty, the Pony not 

 having the benefit of his old friend Snap's instruction j till his 

 master began to repent his bargain, and to accuse the Butcher of 

 having taken him in. He had occasion to go some distance, 

 and in his way obliged to cross a ford, the Pony having reached 

 the middle, made a sudden stop, which sent the Parson head and 

 heels, over the Pony's ears, into the stream, and with very great 

 difficulty he escaped drowning, but assistance being at hand, he 

 was helped out. The next time he met the Butcher he complained 

 of his bargain, and indeed called it little short of swindling, this 

 gave rise to such high words, that both the Doctor and Lawyer 

 were likely to have a job. The Butcher contended, that, as the 

 season was over, the Parson had no right to expect the Pony 

 would act unsportsmanlike ; ' that's not what I complain of,* says 

 the Parson, ' I complain that he is a complete gib, I narrowly 

 escaped drowning, by his pitching me over his head into the 

 stream, when crossing the ford. ' Oh ! ' exclaimed the Butcher, 

 1 1 had forgot to tell you he is equally famous for finding Trout as 

 hares, and no doubt he stood at one then.' * Say no more,' says 

 the Parson, ' if that's the case, I am satisfied ; Trout fishing is 

 quite as agreeable to me as coursing. 



