THE BILLESDON HUNT. 45 



be uncourteous for any other person to do 

 so. There was, however, no time for de- 

 lay, much less to break up the dead fox, as 

 his companion quickly quitted his quarters; 

 but, as might have been anticipated, there 

 was only an indifferent scent, and hounds 

 had to work the line, which they did with 

 remarkable truth and industry. Some 

 sound turf, however, favoured their efforts, 

 when they settled down at a fair pace, their 

 musical notes indicating their whereabouts ; 

 for at this point the fog was again so thick 

 that they could not be seen a field off; and 

 on reaching Welham a check occurred 

 which could not be recovered, a cattle foil 

 increased the difficulty. It was afterwards 

 Intended to draw a covert of Mr Tailby's, 

 but on reaching this the fog was too thick to 

 admit of it. Hallaton Fallow Close was 

 the next move, and there the atmosphere 

 was clear. This is a stick covert, on the 

 estate of the late Lord Cardigan, who was 



