CANES I I I 



sportsman with the use of only one arm), following him closely, as without 

 checking, hounds ran at a great pace straight for Rundell's, over a delightful 

 line of country, throwing up in the field beyond it near the Hastingwood 

 Common road ; getting another view of their hare, they coursed up to her 

 and fairly pulled her down in the open. 



When we reached the road after this sharp burst and brilliant finish, 

 and began trotting off in the direction of Canes, and the hand of the dial 

 pointed to the suggestive hour of one, we made a pretty good guess at 

 what was in store for us. The capacious crevvyards and stables held all 

 our horses, hounds were kennelled, and the hospitable board was soon 

 relieved of its tempting viands, and we drank Mr. Hart's health, and 

 wished him good luck for many a year to come in beverages as varied as 

 they were pleasant and refreshing. 



Mr. Jerrard, sen., now joined us on a horse lent him by our host, and 

 Mrs. Waters arrived in time to see another hare found, but scent was as 

 bad in the afternoon as it had been good in the morning. However, Mr. 

 Avila and ]\Ir. Evans wouldn't look at a gate, and kept popping over the 

 fences, leading us all on, until at last there was a fearful splash, and looking 

 back, only the head of Mr. Jerrard's black horse could be seen gazing on 

 the greensward out of a flooded ditch, while his rider held on manfully to 

 the reins. Thank goodness, he's all right, we ejaculated, as we thought of 

 the photographs uncompleted, and the views that had to be taken, but we 

 sighed for a kodak as he gave that last tug which landed the black once 

 more on terra firma. Mr. Jerrard, his son, Mr. A. Sewell, and young Mr. 

 Hart were the only ones — can we confess it ? may we make an excuse ? 

 (mine, the first day's hunting for a horse* very much out of condition) — 

 who stuck to the Master and his staff to the end. 



On the same day those out with the fox hounds at High Easter had a 

 capital day's sport, running almost to Felstead. During the run a lady t 

 who rides ver}' straight with our hounds had a most providential escape 

 from being killed in one of those terrible ditches that abound in the 

 Roothings. How ladies have the nerve to face them has always astonished 

 me. They ought never to attempt to cross our Roothing country unless 

 they are riding a perfect hunter (he cannot be too well bred) that can jump 

 big at the shortest notice. Nor should they forget that there is safety in 

 pace and a good take-off with a fair landing ; but what business have I to 

 suggest anything to those accomplished horsewomen who put us poor 

 mortals to the blush when it comes to the question of riding across a 

 difficult country. No ! rather let me relate what happened on Saturday, 

 and let us take a lesson from the calm courage and self-possession displayed 

 by the rider as she lay under her horse at the bottom of the ditch with only 

 her chin out of the water, and completely hidden from the sight of those 

 who rushed to her rescue. All credit to those plucky fellows who, regard- 

 less of consequences — one man % was kicked — seized the horse's hind legs 

 with their arms and pulled him back along the ditch off the rider. It took 

 twenty minutes to extricate the animal. 



The run from Sir Charles Smith's coverts, on Monday, December 7th, 

 was out and out the best thing of the season '96-97 up to that date. A 

 numerous company assembled at Bobbingworth Windmill, among them 

 Col. Lockwood, M.P., at the sight of whom the huntsman directly 

 exclaimed, " We shall have a bad day now ! " Why he should have asso- 

 ciated unlucky days with the Colonel's too rare appearance in the hunting 



Pinafore, own sister to Midshipmite. t Mrs. Crocker. \ Captain Bruce. 



