324 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



Spaniards are fairly tolerant of the Hunt, though I 

 have known them bring a shot fox to the covert-side 

 in triumph. Stories of violence were, however, already 

 of ancient date in my day, though, more as a matter of 

 tradition than otherwise, we generally carried heavy 

 brass- handled hunting-crops. The Spaniard's appre- 

 ciation of the sport is well summed-up in the oft- 

 quoted lines : 



Th' unwonted sight the Spanish hind amazes, 

 And loud he cries, "Que locos los Inglesos/"* 



In my day, the only danger was from the Guarda 

 Costas, or Coast Guard, who were much too ready to 

 " shoot on sight." One of the Spanish Regulations 

 was that all persons should pass their lines at a walk. 

 The reason of this was obviously to prevent smuggling : 

 but this did not prevent one of them from sending a 

 bullet whistling after a brother officer of mine, who 

 was hurrying home to save being locked out. His 

 red coat must have ensured their knowing who he was. 



This gate question was one of the nuisances of 

 Gibraltar hunting. The gates of the Rock are all 

 locked at evening gunfire. When, however, the 

 hounds are not back at kennels the ceremony is 

 deferred till they arrive. If, however, you have lost 

 your way, or lamed your horse and cannot return 

 with them, no power will suffice to open the gates that 

 night ; and unless you happen to have hospitable 

 acquaintance at the Musketry Camp on the North 

 Front, you are likely to fare badly. 



* What lunatics the English are. 



