82 The late Mr. Roper^s Diaries. 



Cradock was at its head, and prior to that time when the 

 country was divided. He also hunted regularly with the 

 Bedale when Mr. Mark Milbank was in the zenith of his fame, 

 and later when Mr. Roper's friend, Mr. John Booth, piloted 

 them from times of difficulty to seasons of brilliant success. 



It is interesting to note that Mr. Roper was a witness (as 

 was the present writer's father) of the terrible Ainsty Ure 

 fatality, when the ferry-boat capsized at Newby, and would 

 have been on the boat himself had there been room for two 

 more horses and men. As a matter of fact he was actually on 

 the boat and was attempting to get his horse on when Mr. 

 Vyner begged him not to continue his efforts, pointing out that 

 there were already as many, or more, on board as the boat 

 would hold. Very fortunately for him Mr. Roper did as he 

 was requested. 



Mr. Roper still maintains his interest in the chase and is 

 often seen on wheels with the Zetland Hounds. Now for some 

 extracts from his father's diaries : 



Oct. 1 2th, 1842 : Shot with Mr. John Colling, at White 

 House. The party consisted of J. Colling, J. Allison, W. 

 Allison, and Wilkinson. The bag consisted of 64 head, of 

 which 14 were pheasants. 



Oct. 1 8th : Heard of a brace of pheasants which were 

 feeding near Lozzy's Whin the night before. After hunting 

 went with Dixon and John to look for them. Found one in a 

 little plantation of Mr. Cumby's and the other in the whin. 

 Bagged both and a snipe. 



22nd : Harriers at Wilkinson's Whin. Very wet morning. 

 Got a regular soaking and very poor sport. Killed two hares. 

 [The late Mr. Roper kept a pack of harriers when at Heighing- 



