^5^ 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



In the meantime hounds had disappeared over the brow of the hill, all 

 by themselves — no, not quite unattended, for a thrusting light-weight' in 

 untanned buckskins (how did he manage the brook ?) was in close pursuit, 

 and disappeared over the hill with them. A lucky turn brought us all on 

 terms with hounds again as they crossed the road below Mr. James's farm, 

 and took us over a lovely line of grass up to Magdalen Hall, which was left 

 on the right. On by Belgium Springs and skirting Rolls Farm, and 

 bearing away over Mr. Metson's land, Thrushes Bush was reached, and 

 close to Harlow a deep drop landed us into a road which commanded the 

 driving pack, which within an hour and twenty minutes from time of 

 starting harboured their quarry in Harlow Town. 



The Moors, " Bentley Mill 



Saturday, April 7th, Bentley Mill. — Last day of the season. Bailey, 

 owing to his accident at the races on the previous Thursday, was not with 

 us, the consequence being that hounds were all over the place, but they 

 managed to kill a fox ; the ground was getting dry and scent was by 

 no means good. 



This season, which at one time promised to be as disastrous as '79 for 

 farmers, owing to the continued wet weather right into August, brightened 

 up considerably by the end of that month, and a truly Indian summer set 

 in with September. Necessarily harvest was very backward and corn 

 cutting and carting were still taking place when hounds met at Latton 

 Park to open the season, at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20th, A brace 

 of cubs fell ready victims and satisfied the thirst for blood of hounds and 

 followers. Among those out I had time to note Mr. Todhunter, Mr. and 

 the Misses Caldecott, Mrs. Waters, Miss Tait, Miss Maud Dawson, Miss 



Tyndale White. 



