Foot Beagles 217 



by profession, who would rather hunt than eat, fill up the 

 group that has assembled to see us off. ^Moving along up the 

 lane leading to Squire Buffer's, we turn to the left upon a 

 grassy slope which drops gently away to a tributary of the 

 river Isis. The adjoining field to the right is the Squire's 

 turnip patch which we are to draw. This the JNIaster proceeds 

 to do. We follow, keeping well to the rear, ready however, 

 to go away the instant puss is routed. When within some 

 thirty paces of the turnips, a young hare springs away to our 

 left down the slope. Toot, toot, from the INI aster and twenty 

 silver-tongued beagles proclaim the good news for miles 

 around. We race awaj^ towards the stream. Puss will doubt- 

 less turn right or left to avoid the water. Not to the left, for a 

 country huxter is holding the road on that side; then let us 

 keep to the right and well to the rear for it is more likely he 

 will circle back toward the turnip field. Tliis he did and was 

 soon lost to view among the turnips. What a treat it was to 

 watch the "Freshers". They have fairly gone the pace and 

 would outstrip the beagles themselves were it not for being 

 reproved by whippers-in, for in beagling, like hunting, some 

 run to beagle, while others beagle to run. 



Puss had indeed played a trump card either from chance 

 or instinct for as the pack ran in among the remnants of a 

 turnip crop three splendid hares sprang away in opposite 

 directions. Halt! The Master knows his business full well. 

 Toot! toot! toot! The beagles whimper and coax to go on, 

 but the Master is stern, the whippers-in turn the leading 

 beagles smartly back and the whole procession comes to a 

 check. The INIaster then lifts the pack to where the nearest 

 hare has sprung away. The scent lies strong and beagles give 

 tongue to it in chorus. Off again, whither who knows! In 

 this uncertainty lies one of the charms of beagling. This hare 

 vdih a fling and bound scurries away down stream. He yv\\\ 

 turn under half a mile, but which way? To the right is the 



