166 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



It used to be a very curious .sight to see the 

 farm-labourers from the various farm-houses, where 

 the foxhound j^uppies were walked in the first 

 Lord Fitzhardinge's time, bringing in tlie puppies. 

 From fifty to sixty or seventy couples, or more, 

 as the case might be, were brought in, showing 

 every possible variation of temper. Some young 

 hounds trotted on gaily in front of their peoj^le, 

 delighted in their walk from home, and not 

 knowing that they had left it for the last time, 

 and playing with each other. Others followed, 

 moodily or timidly, at the heels of the men ; 

 while, again, there were many who had stoutly 

 or timidly declined to leave their cherished home, 

 and the caresses of the farmers' wives or daughters, 

 dairy-maids, or others, and these were led struggling 

 in a leash, or, refusing on an}^ terms to walk, were 

 carried in the men's arms. No care was too ex- 

 cessive and no trouble too great for the farm- 

 labourers who brought in the young hounds; for 

 '^ the Colonel's," or, of later years, ^^my Lord's," 

 hand was very liberal to this class of men when 

 pleased ; and each labourer knew that, after 

 delivering the puppies to the huntsman at the 

 kennel, they might repair to the castle for ''a 



