A CHRISTMAS WEEK IN HAMPSHIRE. 191 



eastward. At first hounds were rather inclined to 

 string one after another through the high growth, 

 but presently the going became better for them, and 

 the foot-people saw the last of us. For half an hour 

 they ran fast, and by that time they had got into the 

 big woodlands, where an awkward turn or two threw 

 out the bulk of the field. The second half-hour was 

 a good deal slower, but hounds stuck to their fox 

 well, and finally pulled him down near the Round 

 House exactly one hour after the find. 



It was not long before we found again in these 

 woodlands, but the line hounds picked up was evi- 

 dently that of a fox who had been disturbed by them 

 when running their first. He was too far ahead, and 

 we had to give it up. 



After some time we found again, at Wormley Hill 

 this time, and had a capital thirty-five minutes to 

 Broadwater, where we unfortunately changed foxes, 

 so I went home. 



Next day, the 27th, the Ripley and Knaphill 

 Harriers were at Rickford Mill. By the way, this 

 is perhaps rather Surrey than Hants, but it is all on 

 the border. Mr. Dubourg had a deer for us and 

 one of the right sort. Hounds went away a cracker 

 for Guildford. Right through the railway station 

 they ran and down to the River Wey we clattering 

 through the streets to the delight of the inhabitants 

 of the pretty old town. I recollect I got down to 

 the river bank by negotiating one of the most awk- 

 ward obstacles I ever jumped a flight of rails built 

 across a low railway arch. Fortunately, I was riding 



