MR. FRED AVILA HOLDS UP HIS HAT 23 



ceeded in turning hounds from running hare ; but the day was rapidly 

 advancing, so the huntsman lost no time in trotting back. As we turned 

 up the road to Pyrgo Park only those in the front could see the uplifted hat, 

 or recognise it at once as a genuine signal when they caught sight of the 

 owner, Mr. Avila. The huntsman, who is nothing if he is not quick, put 

 his horse into a hand gallop, and those near him followed suit. But how 

 about the laggards still on the other road ? What were they doing, eh ! 

 Major ? 



Just opposite Pyrgo Wood, just five minutes from the time of getting 

 the information from Mr. Avila, and exactly ten behind the fox, Bailey 

 laid hounds on the track. No mistake this time. They opened at once, 

 and smeused through the first fence, a high bullfinch with hairy ditch and 



Duck Wood, Dagnams 



only one weak spot— the stump of a tree scooped out on the far side, and 

 with ragged projecting teeth. If your horse didn't jump big and far you 

 would have lamed him for a certainty and probably have come down a 

 cropper Mr. Avila, on a valuable young horse, declined with thanks, 

 as Maior Wilson, Capt. Beresford, and several others took their turn alter 

 the huntsman, who implored us not to press hounds, for the fox was ten 

 minutes ahead, and he had been turning up and down the hedgerows hke 

 a hare It was beautiful to see hounds working it out, and none of the 

 charm in these preliminary ten minutes would have been lost had fences 

 been a bit easier, but we had a bold leader in the huntsman, and we 

 followed him like sheep. , 



Yes right into the dark corner, where there wasn t an outlet ; you 

 couldn't see over, and you couldn't see through, but hounds were on and 

 at all risks the huntsman meant to be with them, so taking his horse back. 



