72 The great Stillington Run. 



Mr. Parrington has also kindly allowed me to copy from 

 one of his scrapbooks an account of a great run with the 

 Hurworth, during Coates' era of huntsmanship. There is no 

 date attached, but it was sometime after 1837, ^'^'^ it was in 

 that year that Mr. T. Wilkinson took the hounds, with Coates 

 still as their huntsman. 



The song recalls a number of names of sportsmen of "the 

 good old times " : — 



THE STILLINGTON RUN. 



Of the deeds of the Hurworth, you've oftentimes heard, 

 To think that you hadn't would be most absurd ; 

 But a run from near Haughton, I vow and declare, 

 As Hght into dark, beats all others by far. 



With a pack of such hounds as no sportsman could spurn, 

 The hunt were all muster'd at Haughton-le-Skerne ; 

 Into Lingfield Plantation the pack had scarce got, 

 When a gallant old varmin went off like a shot. 



As they cross'd Burdon Bottoms, 'twould really have been 



The task of an artist in painting the scene ; 



Some balking, some pounded, some down in a stell, 



Some taking their hedges and fences pell-mell. 



Turning round to the right, by Sadberge they went, 



At a St. Leger pace, with a death-doing scent ; 



There was many a wish he might wait at Fox-hill, 



For most of the Flashers were near standing still. 



Pointing for Stainton, many a horseman now fails 



To catch e'en a glimpse of this gallant pack's tails ; 



But I beg them all pardon, don't think me to blame, 



Should I happen to mention some sportsmen by name. 



First, like oil on the ocean, comes C — tes (i), on his grey. 



Quite pleased that he needn't cry " Hold hard " to-day ; 



I. Frank Coates, late huntsman of the Hurworth pack, who Hved at Hilton, where he 

 had a farm. 



