43 



The river's running. swift and strong, the current it is 



wide, 

 Yet we must chance the danger — we must reach the 



other side. 

 So spake each sportsman hardy as he joined the pushing 



mass 

 That down beside the water scarcely let each other pass. 



A sportsman of experience thus to his daughters spoke, 

 " If w^e wait till all are over, I can see 'twill be no joke ; 

 Supposing down the river we were craftily to ride, 

 Over Iiskerton we rapidly shall reach the other side." 



Meanwhile the hounds and huntsmen had been ferried 



o'er the flood, 

 And their voices, gaily chiming, we could hear beneath 



Stoke "Wood, 

 As we hurried on to Fiskerton vdth souls intent on sport, 

 Thinking gladly we should nick them as they down the 



wind turned short. 



! how vexing was that tow-path, with its heavy double 



gates, 

 And the best of men how trying when about his horse 



he prates. 

 But at length we reach our ferry — no wall difficulty's o'er. 

 " Hi ! boatman ! come, look sharp, I say, and punt us 



to yon shore." 



Just conceive our indignation, and the blow that we 



were dealt : 

 " Yery sorry, sir ; impossible ; the bottom can't be felt." 

 Quite remorseless, full of enterprise, we onward dash 



again. 

 Scarcely thinking, never caring if our errand is in vain. 



