THK CREAT STAC RUN, XMAS. EVE. 1 887 



149 



and out of it, and over the next razor bank, and passing Spratts Hedgerow, 

 hounds surged down to Shatter Bushes, which was soon left behind ; nor 

 was there the shghtest check when Galley Hill was reached. 



Here a great many had had enough, or, for some other reason best 

 known to themselves, never came on, missing one of the nicest parts of 

 the run, for there was a burning scent through the cover and hounds 

 never dwelt a second. Mr. Neave's shrill holloa of " Forward away ! " 

 came echoing back to us as we struggled through, and as we reached the 

 boundary fence hounds were already two fields to the good, and soon were 

 breasting the hill towards Monkhams. As we left the plantation on 

 Monkhams Hill Mr. Colley came down, but not before he viewed nine 

 couple of hounds— the full complement we had started with — leave the 

 covert in a cluster, nor could there have been a more beautiful sight than 

 these staunch hounds sweeping down the hill towards that silvery 



Past Epping- Church and Vicarage 



streak which could be discerned in the distance. Alas ! though a narrow 

 stream, it proved on this occasion a veritable Styx. Quicker than one can 

 write it, hounds were on the brink, dashed in and out, and were lost to sight 

 in a belt of trees which bordered another stream — a moat of defence around 

 the Powder Works. One hour and forty minutes and the fun was over. 



Making our way to the nearest bridge, we had to ride right into 

 Cheshunt before we could get to the point where hounds had last been seen. 

 Valuable time was lost over this, also in getting the hounds out of the cut, 

 the Master having to ferry across to them in a powder barge, and lift many 

 of them out of the water. The deer, however, had been viewed by a good 

 many foot passengers, and conflicting accounts as to her route were, as 

 usual, given ; but, by the time Mr. Neave struck the line again beyond 



