54 THE BILLESDON HUNT. 



Viewed making for the Punch Bowl, no 

 time was lost in going there, and they soon 

 got on the line of their first acquaintance, 

 who, thinking there was no place like home, 

 steered his course back for Ouston ; but a 

 heavy storm coming on saved his life. 

 Even with the aid of the most fertile ima- 

 gination it Is scarcely possible to conceive 

 a more splendid run, or one over a more 

 delightful country. Reports appeared in 

 print that the hounds killed their fox ; 

 but they plead " not guilty " to the accusa- 

 tion, and there certainly was no evidence 

 against them. 



To get a start in this country, the coverts 

 being small, unless " coffee-housing " should 

 occupy the attention, is a matter of no great 

 difficulty, but to keep a lead, having got 

 ever so good a start, is a question of a 

 totally different complexion. The ambition 

 which so many exhibit for this distinction 

 is remarkable and humorous, unless, relying 



