FOX-HUNTINGEARLY AND LATE. 339 



a rabbit-hole, very few of the original field being up at 

 the " Who-whoop ! " after this capital fifty-five minutes 

 gallop. 



While we lead our smoking steeds about, Reynard 

 is extracted from his refuge for blood is a necessity 

 at the beginning of the season and the brush is taken 

 to Lady Knight. 



Now let us turn to the Dartmoor. A meet there 

 is a more full-dress affair than that I have last pre- 

 sented to the reader, for the nearness of the large 

 garrison town of Plymouth alone accounts for a score 

 of "pinks" and " blacks." Among the hunt servants 

 is one official who, I believe, is unknown with any other 

 English pack. This is the " terrier-boy," an urchin 

 in scarlet, who carries in the two leather bags behind 

 his saddle two hard-bitten fox-terriers with their heads 

 peeping out. The reason for this is that there are on 

 Dartmoor many great masses of rocks which cannot 

 be stopped, and as foxes often make for these, it is 

 necessary to have terriers at hand to bolt them. 

 These hounds at the time I write of were hunted by a 

 professional huntsman. 



On the day I am going to try and bring before 

 my readers there is very little " pink " to be seen 

 only the hunt servants' in fact, for is it not the 4th 

 of May and a hot day at that ? Filham Village is the 

 meet, and Filham Furze the draw. There is a fox 

 here sure enough, but the eager foot-people head him 

 back. However, there is a rare scent in spite of the 

 heat, and he must go or die. The next attempt to 



z 2 



