2 9 2 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



ten o'clock. I found my host with his rifle slung 

 over his back ready to mount his pony. He took no 

 groom with him, but in a case on his saddle-bow was 

 a leaden weight (some five or six pounds, perhaps) 

 connected to the pony's bit by a stout strap. All he 

 had to do when he jumped off was to throw the 

 weight on the ground, and the pony was thus prevented 

 from running far. 



" When they are used to it," said he, " they never 

 try to move off. It is a hawking dodge." 



Now he is a mighty falconer, and the author of the 

 " Badminton " Book on that sport. 



We trotted smartly on to the place of rendezvous, 

 where two or three forest-keepers were awaiting us. 

 They had with them the hounds, consisting of an old 

 slow foxhound, drafted from the local deerhounds, and 

 a bloodhound bitch. 



One of the keepers reported having seen deer just 

 before he joined us, so the hounds were taken to the 

 spot and laid on there while we rode quietly through 

 the wood. Presently my host cantered off to the left. 

 I kept straight on. 



In less than five minutes I saw a half-grown doe 

 coming straight towards me, but, of course, I allowed 

 it to pass unscathed. The old foxhound soon followed 

 on the line, but as just then I heard the bloodhound 

 on another line I rode on. This second line pointed 

 apparently to some high ground known, I believe, as 

 Boldrewood, and thither I galloped, only to find my 

 host had preceded me. He gave up his place to me 

 and went on nearly to the high-road above. 



