26 



LEAVES EROM A HUNTING DIARY 



bad, and there being no chance to hft hounds, as a fast trot is about 

 all the pace that can be managed, on account of the trappy nature of 

 the ground and the closeness of the trees. Crossing the well-known 

 Cobbins Brook by a bridge, the hounds quickly drew a plantation which 

 fringed the afore-mentioned brook for some distance. With several others 

 I did not leave the coign of vantage, the Bridge, until hounds were 

 on their way to the next covert. Orange Wood, some three fields off. 

 Cantering leisurely towards it with another man, and discussing the best 

 side and corner to get to, we suddenly saw the hounds running like steam 

 away from us, and then as suddenly turn and swing down to Orange 

 Wood. A halloa away at the same time from the side opposite to that 

 they were entering gave some score of us a capital chance of a good 

 start, as we had some exciting moments to wait while the ladies, giving 

 tongue, were racing through the woods towards us. 



y/<^lt<^iu?n*^ 



Epping Bury 



Over the fence they came with a dash. One moment of hesitation on 

 the plough, and down hill they raced towards a bullfinch-lined brook of 

 certain depth and uncertain take off. That it was an awkward one three 

 empty saddles proved, but nearly every fence has a weak place, so several 

 were soon o\er. The hounds pressed on up the next field (a grass one), 

 closely attended by Mr. G. Dawson, Bailey, and Firr, but were in and out 

 of the lane leading from it before anyone could find a way out. Firr took 

 the initiative by sliding his horse, a remarkably clever grey, down a bank 

 as steep as the side of a house. A bank out of the lane, another grass 

 field, and you had quickly to make up your mind which side of Ball Hill, 

 which hounds had entered, you were going to take. Those who followed 

 Bailey and Mr. G. Dawson to the windward side were right, for the fox 

 turned and gamely tried to make his point, the forest, up wind. But 



