Great nms in 1863. 143 



cover, through it, and leaving gradually to the left, ran back 

 again to Barker's Plantation, and after a few dodges in cover, 

 which, with the foiled ground, did him good service, he again 

 broke away northwards and went to Longstaffe's Whin, 

 through it, and forward for a couple of fields, and then turned 

 sharp back and retraced his steps to Barker's Plantation, right 

 through there, across the Stockton Road, and wheeling to the 

 left ran to Sandy Lees cover again, right through it, and out 

 on the east side, pointing for Oxeye again, but it being now 

 quite dark, and every horse more or less beaten, we called off, 

 and left this gallant and truly wonderful fox to live and "fight 

 another day." Time, 3 hours and 35 minutes — distance, as 

 measured on the Ordnance Map, 23 miles, but much more as 

 the hounds ran. The pace from the find to Barker's Planta- 

 tion, the first time, very good, the hunting until the second 

 time through Oxeye then very fast to Barker's Plantations the 

 third time, and it was owing to the fact of the fox getting a 

 third time into that much foiled and strong cover that saved 

 his life ; for the last 20 minutes our game fox managed to hold 

 on just ahead of the hounds, it was an even match at last 

 between fox and bounds, and darkness put an end to the 

 conflict. Had 18^ couples of the large pack out, and only one 

 hound wanting at the finish. I may mention that during the 

 severe run, " Blemish," "Clinker," "Fencer," " Terrington," 

 " Trueman," "Starlight," "Spinster," "Prowler," "Diligent," 

 "Sifter," "Sportsman," "Watchman," "Countess," " Chaunt- 

 ress," "Traveller" and "Royal" particularly distinguished 

 themselves. Rode " Marcian " only. Was splendidly carried 

 up to the end of the second fast burst, when he cried "enough." 

 George rode " Shamrock," and he also got to the bottom of 

 his horse. Among the field undoubtedly the Master was the 

 best man at the finish, riding his Farnham mare. All the 



