THE CHACE. 
too, after last night's rain," holloas Captain Berkeley, 
determined to get first to four stiff rails in a corner. 
" So much the better," says Lord Alvanley, " I like a 
bumper at all times." "A fig for the Whissendine," 
cries Lord Gardner ; "I am on the best water -jumper in 
my stable." 
The prophecy turns up. Having skirted Ranks- 
borough gorse the villain has nowhere to stop short of 
Woodwell-head cover, which he is pointing for ; and in 
ten minutes, or less, the brook appears in view. It is 
even with its banks, and, as 
" Smooth glides the water where the brook is deep," 
its deepness was pretty certain to be fathomed. 
" Yooi, OVER he goes ! " holloas the Squire, as he 
perceives Joker and Jewell plunging into the stream, 
and Red-rose shaking herself on the opposite bank. 
Seven men, out of thirteen, take it in their stride ; three 
stop short, their horses refusing the first time, but come 
well over the second ; and three find them selves in the 
middle of it. The gallant "Frank Forester" is among 
the latter : and having been requested that morning to 
wear a friend's new red coat, to take off the gloss and 
glare of the shop, he accomplishes the task to perfection 
in the bluish-black mud of the Whissendine, only then 
subsiding after a three days' flood.* " Who is that 
under his horse in the brook?" inquires that good 
sportsman and fine rider, Mr. Green, of Rolleston, 
* A true story. 
